Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ILL (interlibrary loan)?
Interlibrary Loan is a library service that provides you access to materials not currently owned by our college library. ILL allows us to borrow items from other libraries and make them available for your research or personal needs.
What can be requested through ILL?
We can generally borrow books and get copies of journal articles. Most libraries do not lend videos or DVDs, reference works or theses.
Who can request an ILL?
The service is available to anyone who has check-out privileges at the Seby Jones Library.
How much does it cost?
We offer Interlibrary Loan services for free to students, faculty, staff and administrators. The library absorbs the costs for Interlibrary Loan but does reserve the right to place limits on large numbers of Interlibrary Loans as specified in the ILL policy. The cost for community members is $10.00 per item.
How do I request an ILL?
Requests for ILLs may be submitted in several ways:
- By completing the interlibrary loan request form online.
- By sending a citation by email from any library database to ill@tfc.edu. Be sure to include your name, email address and contact information in the body of the email.
- By emailing to ill@tfc.edu all the pertinent information you know have about the item you need. Again, be sure to include your name and contact information.
How long does it take to get an ILL?
Requests are processed at the ILL desk within 24 hours of the time they were received. Since books travel at library rate between libraries in U.S. mail or UPS they tend to take a week to ten days to arrive. Journal articles can be mailed, faxed, or emailed and usually come in less than a week.
How will I know when it arrives?
As soon as the material arrives in the library you will be contacted using the contact information you provided in your initial request. The ILL page has a section where you can go to check the current status of your request. (Check the Status of My ILL)
Where can I pick up my ILL?
Items that arrive in our library electronically will be emailed to as long as you have provided one in your contact information. Material that cannot be emailed will be labeled and placed at the Circulation Desk for you to pick up.
How do I return my ILL?
Electronic materials do not need to be returned nor do photocopies of any kind. Other materials will have a due date on the book label and must be returned to the Circulation Desk by the due date.
How long do I get to keep the item?
The length of the loan is determined solely by the institution that lent the items. Usually the loan period ranges from 3 to 6 weeks. Renewals may be possible depending on the policies of the lending library.
How do I apply for a renewal?
If you know you are going to need the item longer than the given due date contact the ILL Desk by email ill@tfc.edu. Renewals are not automatic. You will be notified if the lending library will not renew your item. If a renewal is obtained you will be notified through email and it will be posted on the website (Check the Status of My ILL)
How do I know when I am nearing my limit of free ILLs?
The ILL worker will notify you when you are down to five ILLs for the year.
How can I contact the ILL librarian?
If you have any other comments or questions please call extension 5345 or email the ILL Librarian.