Your Guide to the Library

Making an ILL Request

IMPORTANT: Check Trevecca holdings BEFORE you request anything through ILL. You can get it immediately and not have to wait. Our Interlibrary Loan Service is for articles or books that are not freely available in Discovery or Google Scholar as full text. (Note: Learn how to link Google Scholar to Trevecca's library.)

You can request items online through interlibrary loan in one of two ways:

1. Find the item in Discovery and click on its title to view the details. There will be a purple 'Request Item through Interlibrary Loan' button that you can click which will attach the item's information to your request, so that you don't have to type it out.

2. If the ILL request button for a title in Discovery is unavailable, use our online interlibrary loan form (you will need to type in the item details)

Please Note:  Your Trevecca email and the 11-digit Campus ID number from your ID card are both required on all ILL requests. Contact the library if you do not have your 11-digit campus ID number.

If you have questions or need assistance, please call the ILL office (615-248-1226) or email us (ill@trevecca.edu)

Handle ILL Items with Care

ILL books and materials have graciously been loaned to us from other libraries. Please observe the following practices when borrowing an ILL item:

• Do not highlight or write in books - charges will be assessed for books that are damaged or defaced.
• Do not remove the book strap from the cover of the book or DVD - the information on the strap is used to check in and track the item.
• If designated for in-house use only, please do not remove the item from the library - portable disc drives are available for check out to view DVD's in-house.
• Please return your items on time. Some interlibrary loan books can be renewed as allowed by the lending library. To request renewal, email us before the due date so we can request renewal by the lending library. Late fees of $.50 per day will be assessed for overdue items.

Interlibrary Loan FAQs

1. Who can use Interlibrary Loan?

• Interlibrary loan services are available to currently enrolled Trevecca students and Trevecca employees.

2. How much does it cost?

• There is no cost to you for interlibrary loan

3. How many requests can I make?

• ILL requests are limited to 10 in process at a time for any one person
  • Please note: Due to copyright guidelines, each year, the library can only request five articles published within the current five years from the same journal through ILL. Once that limit is reached, the library is only willing to attempt to purchase articles on a limited basis and under extreme necessity. There is also a possibility of a limit on purchases for ILL materials per patron.

4. How long will it take for a book to arrive?

• It typically takes 5 to 7 business days for the request to be completed, but plan for two weeks.

5. How long will it take for me to receive a journal article?

• A link to access the article (or in some cases a PDF of the article) is typically emailed in about 2 to 5 business days. Average turnaround time is 2 days.

6. How will I know when my book or article has arrived?

• You will receive an email notification at your Trevecca email address.

7. Can you mail my Interlibrary Loan book to me?

•  If you live outside of a 30-mile radius of the Trevecca campus and within the 48 contiguous United States, we can mail your interlibrary loan book to you. Please note that you will be responsible for the returning costs.  However, remember that the additional shipping will take up some of the time allowed for the loan.  If you can pick up the book in person, that is usually quicker!

8. How long can I keep interlibrary loan materials?

• Due dates for books vary, as they are set by the lending library, but are typically around 3-5 weeks.. Articles are yours to keep.

9. Are there overdue fines for interlibrary loan books?

• Yes, overdue fines for interlibrary loan books are $.50 per day.

10. Can I renew my interlibrary loan book?

• Some interlibrary loan books can be renewed as allowed by the lending library. To request renewal, email us before the due date so we can request renewal by the lending library.

11. Can I request a textbook through interlibrary loan?

• Textbooks are not available through interlibrary loan, but may be obtained through Trevecca's bookstore, Slingshot.

12. What is an embargo?

• In academic publishing, an embargo is a period of time during which access to the most recent journal articles are restricted. When embargoed articles are not available via our databases, they may be requested through interlibrary loan.

For our distance students that live off-campus and cannot come in to get your ILL materials - we can help!

• Articles will be sent to you electronically either with a link for access or as
  an attached PDF.
   
• If you receive an email telling you that your book is ready to be picked up,
  simply email us that you are an online or distance student and you need the book
  to be sent to the address you provide. 
  

Please note the following restrictions and policies:

1. Students living within a 30-mile radius of the Trevecca campus will need to pick up materials in person.

2. We cannot ship physical materials outside the 48 contiguous United States.

3. Additional shipping time will take up some of your checkout time. If you can pick up the book in person, that is usually quicker!

4. We provide return labels, but you are responsible for return costs.