Interlibrary Loan Frequently Asked Questions

• Am I eligible to use ILL?
• What can I request?
• How do I submit a book request?
• How long are loan periods?
• Can I renew ILL books?
• Where do I return ILL books?
• How do I submit a journal article request?
• Are there any limits to how much I can request?
• Can I borrow theses and dissertations?
• What materials are difficult to get through ILL?
• How long does it take to fill an ILL request?
• How can I check on the status of my request?
• How will I be notified when my book or article comes in?
• Where do I go to pick up my book or article?
• What if I get an overdue notice?
• What if I get an overdue notice and I am sure I already returned the book?
• What if I lose or damage an ILL book?

Am I eligible to use ILL? This service is available to current HGSE students, faculty, and staff only. Special borrowers, including alumni, are not eligible to use ILL services.

What can I request?
You may request books, journal articles, and other materials that Harvard's libraries do not own or provide access to. The ONE exception: You may request books and articles from Countway Library (Harvard Medical School) in Boston. If a book you need is checked out, recall it using the request feature on the book's availability screen in HOLLIS Catalog. You will need a Harvard ID and PIN to do this.

How do I submit a book request?
Please consult the HOLLIS Catalog first to make sure that Harvard does not own the book you need. If not, submit a book request form. Please fill out the form as completely as possible to avoid delays in processing your request.

How long are loan periods?
Because loan periods are determined by the lending library, they vary considerably. An ILL book will always have the due date clearly marked on the cover wrapper.

Can I renew ILL books ?
Sometimes. Please submit a renewal request form on or before the due date. You will be given a two-week extension unless the lending library denies the request, in which case we will ask that you return the book immediately.

Where do I return ILL books?
Please return all interlibrary loan books to the Gutman Circulation Desk. Make sure that the strip around the front cover is still attached to the book. Without this strip, it is difficult to determine that the book was borrowed through interlibrary loan.

How do I submit a journal article request?
Please first consult the HOLLIS Catalog and the Citation Linker to make sure that Harvard does not own or provide electronic access to the issue of the journal you need. If you find that Harvard libraries do not own it or provide electronic access, submit an article request form. Please fill it out as completely as possible to avoid delays in processing your request.

Are there any limits to how much I can request?
We set no limit on the number of items a person may request, but if you find you need more than six to eight items at one time, please speak with a research librarian to investigate other ways to obtain items. If you need to borrow a large number of dissertations (see below), please submit requests in batches of four to five at a time. This helps us with workflow, and prevents you from receiving several lengthy dissertations at the same time with only a short time to read them.

Can I borrow theses and dissertations?
Using a book request form, you may request theses and dissertations through interlibrary loan. For dissertations and theses done after 1990, use Dissertations and Theses Full Text (ProQuest) to download (or print or read) full text. If a dissertation is unavailable both online and through ILL, consult Dissertations and Theses Full Text (ProQuest) to determine whether you may buy a copy directly from UMI.

What materials are difficult to get through ILL?
Examples of hard-to-get materials are: reference books, very old (pre-20th century) and very new (current year) items, archival and manuscript materials, genealogies and local histories, entire issues of journals, computer software, audio and videocassettes, CDs, phonograph records and microforms.

How long does it take to fill an ILL request?
The average wait for material is two weeks; occasionally it's faster, often it's slower. Be sure material will still be of use to you after this delay before making requests.

How can I check on the status of my request?
Please call the Reference Desk at 617-495-3421.

How will I be notified when my book or article comes in?
The ILL staff will e-mail you when materials come in.

Where do I go to pick up my book or article?
Pick up interlibrary loan materials at the Gutman Circulation Desk. Items are kept on the ILL hold shelf there.

What if I get an overdue notice?
Please return overdue items as soon as possible. Please do not jeopardize our future borrowing privileges with other libraries by disregarding their due dates. Note that unresolved overdues may result in substantial charges to your term bill.

What if I get an overdue notice, and I am sure I already returned the book?
If you get an overdue notice for an interlibrary loan book which you have already returned, please note the date the overdue notice was sent. If you returned the book on or after that date, you can probably ignore the notice. Otherwise, please call the Reference Desk at 617-495-3421 to make sure your record is clear. Please do not ignore multiple notices.

What if I lose or damage an ILL book?
You will be billed for the lost or damaged book through your term bill.