Who may use Interlibrary Loan?
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service for students, faculty, and staff of Western Carolina University. Other local residents should use the public library for ILL service.
What may I request?
Patrons may use ILL to request materials not owned by Hunter Library nor available from UNC-Asheville or Appalachian State. Material types that can be requested include:
- Books
- Book Chapters
- Articles
- Dissertations/Theses
- Videos/DVDs
- Other Non-Print Media
Please note:
Recently published books may not be available via ILL because:
- libraries may not yet own them
- often libraries dont lend new books.
Videos, theses, dissertations, and other non-print matter may not be available via ILL because:
- these formats are not aggressively purchased by many libraries
- often libraries do not lend these formats
How do I request materials?
1. Check the Library Catalog
a. If Hunter Library owns the material or provides online access to the full-text, do not use ILL. If the item is checked out, have the Circulation Desk place it on "hold". You will be notified once it is returned.
b. If UNCA or ASU owns the material and it is available, please request it through ABC Express, as we will not order it through ILL. If it is checked out at UNCA or ASU, then the item may be ordered through ILL.
2. If the item you need is not owned by Hunter Library or available through ABC Express, please log into the Interlibrary Loan System and fill out an online order form. Call the Reference Desk (828-227-7465 or 866-928-5424 toll free) if you need help.
3. Provide complete citations. Processing requests takes longer when vital information (e.g. date, page numbers, author, etc.) is missing. If you have abbreviated journal titles, do not guess what the correct title may be! Please, ask for assistance at the Reference Desk if you have incomplete citations or abbreviated journal titles.
How long will it take to receive?
Articles generally arrive within two days, but may take as long as four weeks. Books usually arrive within one week, but may take longer. The ILL office cannot guarantee speed because we are dependent upon the speed of libraries lending materials to us, and, occasionally, the speed at which the U.S. Postal Service delivers them.
How many orders may I place?
There are no limits to the total number of orders that may be placed, but please remember that if you send more than 10 requests at one time, they may be processed over several days.
If you have many requests, submit them in prioritized order. Your requests will be processed in the order in which they are received. If you are working on a large project and anticipate a large number of requests, please contact the Reference Desk (828-227-7465 or 866-928-5424 toll free).
Is there a charge to use this service?
Hunter Library pays the fees associated with Interlibrary Loan requests made by students, faculty, and staff for University-related course work and research. Each loan costs the library a minimum of $20-30.
How will I know that my order has arrived?
Fill out your contact preference in the "Your Patron Record" section of the ILL system. When material arrives for you, we can send you an email or call you. Students will pick up materials at the Circulation Desk. Faculty should pick up books at the Circulation Desk, but articles will be delivered to their offices via campus mail.
Note: The Interlibrary Loan System uses the official contact information provided by the University. For directions on how to forward your official WCU email to a preferred email address, click here.
How long may I keep ILL material?
Photocopies of articles are yours to keep. Due dates on books, videos, and other non-print media are determined by the lending library and vary greatly. The return date will be written on the strap wrapped on the book or media.
Overdue Interlibrary Loans may result in suspension of borrowing privileges.
May I renew an interlibrary loan?
You may request renewal of an interlibrary loan item one time so long as the library that lent it to us did not designate the item "non-renewable." To do this, log in to Hunter Library's Interlibrary Loan system and choose "Check Request Status." Check the "Request Renewal" button beside the item you want to renew, then click the "Send Renewal Requests" button at the bottom of the page. IF the lending library grants the renewal, a new due date will appear under "Check Request Status" within 2 business days.
What do I do with a book once I have finished reading it?
Return it to the Circulation Desk on or before the due date. Please do not return ILL books in the library's outside book drop.
BUT I NEED IT NOW!!!!!
Interlibrary Loan may take as little as two days, but can take as long as six weeks. If you really need it now, contact the Reference Desk (828-227-7465 or 866-928-5424 toll free). We may be able to help you find materials free through one of our databases.