Interlibrary Loan

1. Check our library holdings first. An article that is not available in one database may be full-text in another or we may own it in paper. Use EBSCO A-to-Z and Voyager (Library catalog) to search for journals and books available on site. Links to these resources are on the Library/Research Databases web page.
2. Use electronic request forms when possible.
   • Kansas Library Catalog: Use the "Request This Item" button near the top of the page for any single title.
   • EBSCOHost (if full-text is not available): Use the "Interlibrary Loan request form" link near the bottom of the citation.
   • Gale-Cengage, ProQuest, or other datebases (if full-text is not available): E-mail the citation to interlib@bethelks.edu; Besure to include your name and email address in the Message field.
   • WorldCat Click "Borrow this item from another library" (under Availability) or the ILL button at the top and fill out the request form online.
   • For requests from other sources: Use the links below to our book or article request forms.
3. While electronic requests are preferred, paper request forms are available at the ILL desk. Please provide complete personal identification for each item you request. Place your request in the top wire basket on the ILL desk for processing.
4. Do not procrastinate. On average, it takes a week for each ILL request to arrive at our library. Requests are not processed on weekends or holidays. Plan ahead!

Who may use Interlibrary Loan services at Bethel?
ILL is available to all students, faculty and staff at Bethel College and secondarily to community patrons as a means of obtaining books or articles not owned by or missing from the Bethel College Library. Materials borrowed from other libraries may be used for a limited time only and should not be used as the main source for any extended research project.

What does ILL cost?
Interlibrary Loan is generally a reciprocal service among libraries, so there is no charge to you for most requests. Certain materials, e.g., medical items, may be held only by libraries that charge a fee for service; in those cases we will ask your consent before requesting the material and the cost will be passed on to you.

What kinds of materials are available on ILL?
We are very successful at obtaining books published after 1900, non-commercial videos/DVDs, and journal articles, although occasionally there may be a lending fee if the item is not widely owned.

• Items that may be difficult to get on ILL include:
  • Theses and dissertations (there is often a lending fee for these)
  • Very old publications (pre-1900), if they are not available in reprint or digital format
  • Very new books, especially popular titles
  • Archival materials or manuscripts
  • Items owned only by foreign libraries
• The following materials are not available for interlibrary requesting:
  • Music CDs
  • Textbooks required for a current BC course

How long does it take to get ILL materials?
On average, each request takes about a week to arrive. However, turnaround time can vary greatly depending on the nature of the request, location of the lending library, availability of the material, etc. It’s best to request material at least two weeks before you have to have it.

How can I check on the status of my request?
You may e-mail us at interlib@bethelks.edu, call ext. 303 to ask about your requests or stop by the ILL desk between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. If you requested an item through the Kansas Library Catalog (KLC), the Patron Tracking feature allows you to follow the progress of your request online.

Where do I pick up ILL materials?
Photocopied or scanned articles will be sent directly to your email or campus mailbox unless you request otherwise. You may pick up other ILL materials at the interlibrary loan desk or ask the Circulation Desk assistant for help.

How long may I keep a book?
Each lending library sets its own due dates, which are written on the ILL bands attached to all ILL material. These also indicate whether the lending library will allow renewal requests. Fines of $5 per week are charged for overdue ILL materials (there is a grace period of one week).

How do I request a renewal?
E-mail us at interlib@bethelks.edu or call ext. 303 with the following information: your name, the name of the lending library as written on the ILL band and the title of the item. It may take several days for us to get a response from the lending library, after which we will notify you of the new due date. The lending library has the final decision on whether an item can be renewed and for how long. If a renewal is not granted, you must return the material as soon as possible.

How many requests can I make?
Take into account the time you will have to use the items you request. Borrowed materials are generally available for 3 to 5 weeks only. Remember that while there are no costs to you, each request costs the library an average of $10; please ask only for what you will use. Article requests may be limited because of copyright law; after the copyright limit for a given title has been reached, we may be unable to fill requests for that journal.