Main Library Interlibrary Loan Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What can I get? Loan Period and Renewals
WorldCat Overdue and Recalled Materials
ArticleFirst How do I get my article?
How long does it take? Dissertations
Who is eligible for service? Location and Contact Information
Notifications and Status Checks

What can I get?

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) orders materials which are not owned by Northwestern University Library (NUL), are declared missing or lost, or are in use. Basic ILL services, including electronic delivery of articles, are free to all NU students, faculty and staff.

ILL will not request materials that are on Reserve or in Core.

ILL will attempt to borrow or obtain the following:

We may attempt to locate a supplier, but the following materials are extremely difficult to borrow through ILL channels.

WorldCat

WorldCat is the world's most comprehensive online catalog listing more than 30 million books, journals, maps, videos, etc. You can place an ILL request for a book or journal article. If you want to place a request click here.

ArticleFirst

ArticleFirst is an index of journal articles that can be searched by subject, title or author. If you locate an article, you will get a citation with the journal title, volume, date, and pages. You can then place an ILL request for this article. If you want to place a request click here.

How long does it take?

We order from several libraries and wait for a response. Most items arrive within 7-10 business days.

Who is eligible for service?

All ILL services are available to the following users who have current, valid NU library cards:

Alumni, ILR students, and guest borrowers may only request articles from the Chicago campus libraries. Students not currently registered may not place ILL requests.

Notifications and Status Checks

When your request has been received we will notify you via email. Please retrieve items at your earliest convenience.

Articles are scanned and can be accessed online. An email notice will be sent to you when your article arrives.

You can call (847) 491-2893 or email ill-request@northwestern.edu to check the status of your request.

Loan Period and Renewals

Loan periods are determined by the lending library and are usually 2 to 4 weeks. Restrictions such as "no renewal" or "library use only" will be strictly observed.

All borrowed materials can be returned to the ILL service desk or the Library Circulation Desk.

Renewals should be requested prior to the due date and are granted only at the lending library's discretion. To place a renewal request click here.

Overdue and Recalled Materials

Failure to return books may result in fines, suspension of library privileges, or both.

How do I get my Article?

Journal articles are delivered as PDF files over the Internet and are accessible from any computer with a web browser, on or off campus. Your articles can either be printed by you or read online, but you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print these PDF files. Acrobat Reader is already installed on most public NU workstations.

You must have a valid email address in order to receive articles from ILL because all patrons will be notified of received articles via email.

When your article arrives, you will receive an email message containing the following:

You can view your documents at any time by going to the document delivery web page and entering your user name and PIN. After logging in, a list of links to all your documents will be displayed. The documents will remain available for up to 21 days after you are notified or 10 viewings, whichever comes first. It is the patron's responsibility to either save or produce print copies of articles requested.

Dissertations

Some institutions do not circulate their dissertations. If the ILL department cannot borrow the dissertation, the patron has the option of purchasing his or her own copy.

Most dissertations can be purchased via the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/gateway

Location and Contact Information

ILL is located on the first floor of the Main Library building, directly across from the Circulation Desk. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding university holidays.

Interlibrary Loan
Northwestern University Library
1970 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL 60208-2300

Borrowing Information
(847) 491-7630 (phone)
(847) 491-5685 (fax)
ill-request@northwestern.edu

Lending Information
(847) 491-7659 (phone)
(847) 491-5685 (fax)
ill-lending@northwestern.edu