Books, journal articles, theses and other research materials not available from the University of Iowa Libraries can often be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan from other libraries. Periodical articles are supplied in scanned format and delivered electronically.

Eligibility

University faculty, staff, and students are eligible to use Interlibrary Loan services. The Law Library (https://library.law.uiowa.edu/services/circulation-and-borrowing#interlibraryloan) has Interlibrary Loan service for College of Law faculty, staff, and students.

Costs

There is no direct charge to users for this service. Any charges are absorbed by the UI Libraries.

Time requirements

Requests normally leave the UI Libraries within 1–2 working days. Requested materials for loan take an average of 7–10 days to arrive. Journal articles and book chapters usually arrive sooner, 3–7 days on average.

Length of loans

Loan periods are set by the lending library and range from 2 to 16 weeks. The book band placed around the item will display the due date for that particular loan. Interlibrary Loan items are subject to recall from the lending library at any time.

Renewals

Renewals may be requested if “NON-RENEWABLE” is not listed on the book band. Such requests can be made 10 days before and 10 days after the due date by logging into Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery at http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/services/illdd and clicking on the Renew button next to the item’s title. If approved, an email notification with the new due date will be sent.

Limitations

Some lending libraries may stipulate “for use in library only,” “no photocopying,” or “no renewals.” These restrictions will be clearly marked on the book band and on the arrival notification email and must be adhered to. Some items that may not be available through Interlibrary Loan are textbooks, bound journals, reference works, items in special or rare book collections, manuscript material, genealogy books, some dissertations, theses and audio-visual materials.

Registration

Registration is required for all first-time users. If the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences provides you with most of your information needs and Interlibrary Loan/Document delivery requests, please select Hardin Library (or HL8) as your home library. All others please select Main Library (or NUI) as your home library.

Submission of requests

Requests may be submitted by logging in with a HawkID and password at http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/services/illdd. For further information or to locate a HawkID, please see https://login.uiowa.edu/uip/hawkid-lookup.page or contact the ITS Help Desk at 319-384-4357 or the HCIS Help Desk at 319-335-6500.

Notification and pick-up of material

Email notifications will be sent when materials arrive and materials will be held for 4 weeks or until the due date provided, whichever comes first.  If a branch library has been designated as a Pick-Up Library, materials will be automatically sent to a branch library and will take an additional 1–3 days to arrive. If Office Delivery has been designated, materials will be sent to a campus office via campus mail and could take an additional 5 days to arrive. If Home Delivery has been designated, materials will be shipped via UPS to the address on file in your ILL user profile. Email notifications will also be sent when scanned materials are available for viewing. Access to these articles is available by logging in to Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery at http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/services/illdd and going to the option to “View/Electronically Received Articles”.

Return of material

Interlibrary Loan materials may be returned to the Main Library Service Desk or any UI branch library. If you are outside of Iowa City you may request a prepaid UPS shipping label for returns. Failure to return materials by the due date may result in the inability to check out materials at all UI Libraries until the overdue material(s) is returned.

Fines

Information about fines for non-returned, damaged, recalled, or overdue materials can be located at http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/ill/interlibrary-loan/.

Revised 13 December 2022
Approved ASPC 1 May 2008
Approved ExCo 15 May 2008