- Access the Request Form by going to the Request Materials page from links
located at:
- The University of Kansas Libraries website.
- On the left side of the page click on Request Materials
- Under Services click on Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
- Next click on WebRetrieve which will take you to the login screen.
Once you have logged in you will have two request forms to choose from:
- Request an article not available from KU Libraries
- Request a Loan not available from KU Libraries
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- There is no way to know how long any one request will take. Delivery time is
dependent on the library sending the material and the availability of the requested material.
Estimated turnaround time is:
- 60% of articles are received within two days
- 50% of loans are received within seven days
- Click here for more information about turnaround times.
- Please note that many interlibrary loan offices are closed or refuse to mail library materials over the Winter Break.
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- No. However, if you are turning in a large number of requests at one time, it is a
good idea to prioritize them (by including a note in the Notes field on WebRetrieve).
It may not be possible for staff to process all of your requests immediately,
and if many items arrive in a short space of time it may be difficult for you to consult them
all in the typically short time that lending libraries allow.
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- Materials may be picked up from any KU library location that you had specified
for your pick up location. Materials, except for media items, may be returned to
any of the KU libraries or bookdrops situated around KU's main campus.
You are responsible for ensuring that ILL materials are returned to the
KU Libraries in the same condition they were when you checked them out.
- Please DO NOT remove any paperwork from the ILL materials. This increases
the chance that the material will be lost and that you will be charged for the ILL materials.
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- Loan dates vary, but are at least two weeks.
- The due date is indicated on the white (or blue) band attached to the item loaned,
and is based on a due date set by the lending library.
- Due dates are determined from the date KU receives the material from the lending library,
not from the date you check out the materials.
- If you do not check out materials as soon as you receive your Item Available email notice,
you will have a shorter loan period.
- Remember, you may check the status of your requests at any time on WebRetrieve.
- At the request of the lending library, some material may be "In Library Use Only."
Circulation will keep the material available for you to use in the library as long as you need it
or until the due date is reached. "In Library Use Only" items have a blue jacket on the item.
- Few lending libraries grant renewal requests. Eligibility is noted on the white ILL jacket.
- Prompt return of materials ensures continued interlibrary loan from other libraries.
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- If renewals are allowed (note any restrictions under PLEASE NOTE THESE
LENDING RESTRICTIONS), renewals for non-KU items must be requested before the due date.
To renew, contact Interlibrary Loan Borrowing to update your account at 785-864-3960.
Staff members will help you and provide you with the new due date.
- Please Note: The lending library is solely responsible for the decision of how long
to extend the due date. The lending library may decide not to renew the material, even if renewal requests are allowed.
If a renewal is denied or the due date is shorter than originally assigned,
Interlibrary Loan Borrowing Staff will contact you via email with the new due date.
Materials must be returned by the due date to avoid overdue fines.
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- ILL materials are checked out to the requestor's ILL account.
- Charges are determined by the lending institution and may include:
- Overdue fines
- Lost item replacement
- Damage fines
- The person will be charged a $1 a day once the item is past its due date.
- The person whose library borrower number is attached to the ILL record is responsible for all incurred fees.
- ILL will automatically block requestors from placing further requests when their account has reached the $80 limit.
- Overdue fees may not be changed but you are encouraged to keep your account current to continue
access to Interlibrary Loan Borrowing services.
- When an ILL item becomes 30 days overdue, it will be declared lost,
and the borrower will be issued a lost item billing (Fine and Fee Notice) that includes the replacement cost of the item,
a $20 processing fee, and an overdue fine.
- After 60 days overdue, if the item is returned in good condition, ONLY the replacement cost charge is removed.
- To avoid lost item billings, promptly renew or return items.
- If you are requesting materials for a faculty member, it is advisable to obtain a Proxy Card from the faculty member.
Proxy users can submit ILL requests but they need to use the proxy card number and the faculty's name.
The faculty who the proxy card is for is responsible for all fines incurred.
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- You can help us to process your request more efficiently
- Be sure to check the Library Catalog to determine that the University of Kansas Libraries does not own the title you need.
- For Journal article copies:
- Search the journal title in the Library Catalog and E-Journals. - If the journal is found in the Library catalog
scroll down to the bottom to see if we own the volume and issue you need.
- Check the E-Journals page on the University of Kansas Libraries website to determine
that KU does not have electronic access to the title you need.
- Include in your request - if you know them:
- The Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) number
- The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) or the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- Do not use abbreviations for any part of the journal title, including association names,
unless that is all the information you have. You may consult the Periodical Title Abbreviations (Call # Z6945.A2 P47)
and the Acronyms, Initialisms & Abbreviations Dictionary (Call # P365 .A28) at the Watson Library-Reference Desk,
Anschutz Library-Reference Desk, and the Regents Center Library (Edwards Campus)-Reference
to determine the full spelling for an abbreviation. Please do NOT guess;
provide the abbreviation you have and ILS staff will attempt to identify it.
- With conference proceedings, include:
- Title
- Date, and place held
- Unabbreviated name of the association or organization
- A brief description of the subject of the conference in your own words.
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- KU faculty, staff, and graduate students can designate a proxy to pickup their materials
by completing a form at the Watson Service Desk. All authorized users and proxies are required to
present their Proxy card and a photo ID to library staff when picking up materials.
The requesting patron retains responsibility for all materials obtained via ILL.
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