What is Interlibrary Loan?
- Journal articles, books, book chapters, dissertations, and certain media formats, not found in the library collection or databases, may be requested through the interlibrary loan service. Through cooperative agreements with other libraries, resources across the nation are available to eligible Slippery Rock University users. Libraries pay shipping costs and membership fees to provide this free resource to users.
Is all the material I request free?
- Interlibrary Loan provides a free service, at no cost to you, unless materials have not been returned.
Why am I having trouble logging into either ILLiad or EZBorrow?
- ILLiad and EZBorrow uses your SRU credentials (full email and password) for logging onto the interlibrary loan systems. If you just reset your SRU password, wait for 15-30 minutes and try again.
- For further assistance with SRU passwords, contact the SRU Help Desk 724-738-4357.
- You can also try clearing your browser cache.
How do I know when my material is ready for pick-up?
- You will receive an email from the Library. For articles, a link to access the PDF will be included in the email. Requesters have 30 days to either read the PDF or download it. Downloading is recommended for long time use since copyright prohibits duplicate requests of the same article. After the 30-day period, the system will automatically delete the PDF in your ILLiad account. Pick up physical materials at the Circulation desk.
- Materials ordered through ILLiad and EZBorrow are kept at the Circulation Desk for five days. After five days, the materials will be returned unless you contact us (library-loan@sru.edu) to set up a new pick-up date.
How long does it take to get my material?
- The time it takes for a library to fill a request, and for the book or article to arrive, depends on many variables. Article requests are usually filled quickly, even in 1 -2 days, but can take up to 7 days in some instances. Book requests can take anywhere from a week to 4 weeks, so it is best to plan ahead.
How many items can I request in a day?
- SRU students/faculty/staff have no limit to the number of article requests, however it is appreciated if limited to 15 a day.
- SRU students may request up to 3 books per day.
- SRU faculty do not have a limit; however, again it is appreciated if limited to 15 books a day.
- For Professor Emeriti the limit is 5 per day.
Can I request anything I need?
The following items are usually not available for interlibrary loan:
- Reference and reserve materials
- Rare or valuable items
- Current year book publications
- E-books
- Interlibrary Loan should not be used to avoid purchase of required course materials. Students are expected to buy required textbooks.
How can I renew my interlibrary loan material?
- ILLiad: In your ILLiad account, under “View” on left-hand menu, click on “Renew/View Your Checked Out Items.” In a few days, you will receive notification of either the new due date, or a rejection for renewal (a library at any time may recall your item to be returned immediately).
- EZBorrow: Typically there are no renewals for EZBorrow books because of the generous loan period of 12 weeks.
I lost/damaged the item I borrowed. What do I do?
I have some overdue material. What happens now?
- Once an item is overdue, you will receive a notice via email.
- After an unreturned material is 14 days overdue, you will receive an invoice for the replacement cost and processing fee of the item.
- The library accepts cash or checks only.
- If you have pending fines/fees, your library privileges will be suspended.
- The university reserves the right to put holds on transcripts and diplomas until fines/fees are paid in full.
- For current library users, library privileges will be reinstated after fines or fees are paid in full.
- For SRU students and alumni, holds on transcripts and diplomas will be removed after fines or fees are paid in full.
- A library has the right to recall, at any time, a loaned item if needed by their institution. The item must be returned immediately, even if before due date.
Can I make a copy of the material I received for my friend?
- No. All reproduced material (including PDFs) you receive from ILLiad and EZBorrow is under the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).
- By accepting reproduced material, you agree to use it only for private use, not share it, place it in reserve, or make copies for others.
- We reserve the right to refuse a reproduced order if, in our judgment, fulfilling the request would violate copyright law.