The library's interlibrary loan service is used to obtain articles, books, and other materials not available in Skillman or Kirby Library.
The library’s interlibrary loan (ILL) staff locate these materials in other libraries and borrow or obtain photocopies on behalf of Lafayette users. There is no additional charge to students and employees for ILL service.
Through ILL, Lafayette students, employees, and retired faculty can get:
Items we’ll try our best to get, but sometimes cannot:
The time it takes for ILL material to arrive varies with the difficulty of the request, the proximity of the lending library, and the material type. Some requests arrive in a day or two, while more involved requests can take several weeks.
Articles received electronically will be delivered to your account on the ILL system as PDF files. They will remain on the system for 45 days.
Books and other borrowed materials will be held at the Skillman circulation desk for you to pick up; a notification will be sent to your Lafayette email address when an item is ready for you to pick it up.
We don’t set loan periods; they are set by the lending library. Renewal requests should be submitted to the ILL office at least two days in advance of the due date. We cannot guarantee renewals. To request a renewal, please log on to the ILL system and select the “View/Renew Checked out items” link or contact ILL staff.
Lending libraries determine conditions regarding the use of their materials. Restrictions such as “no renewal,” “library use only,” and “no photocopying” must be honored.
All materials borrowed through ILL should be returned to the Skillman circulation desk. Please do not return material through campus mail. Please leave the wraparound book straps and any other paperwork with the materials. Overdue fines and replacement fees for lost items may be charged for ILL materials.
ILL staff are generally available from 8:45 to 4:00 during the school year. Summer hours are 8:15 to 4:00. Ask at the Skillman Circulation Desk for help.
| For ILL requests/status of borrowed items, lending to other libraries: | ILL Email: 610-330-5151 |
| Verifications, overall operations and policies: | Kylie Bailin: 610-330-5154 |
| ILL email: | ill@lafayette.edu |
Access to the interlibrary loan system requires the Lafayette Network ID and password. Note that the first time you access the system you will be asked to fill out a brief form to establish your account.