The University of Kansas Libraries

The Basics

Back to FAQ Page

What is Interlibrary Loan Borrowing?

• Interlibrary Loan Borrowing is a service that provides access to materials not owned by the KU Libraries. Through cooperative agreements, participating libraries share their collections with students, faculty, and staff from other libraries.

Who is eligible to use Interlibrary Loan Borrowing?

• KU faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, staff, and affiliates with a valid KUID, and in good standing, are eligible to use these services. This includes emeritus faculty and retired staff. Interlibrary Loan Borrowing is not available for individuals with KU Library Borrower Cards.

What can be requested through Interlibrary Loan Borrowing?

• You can request materials in any format you need:
  • Microfilm or Microfiche items
  • Book
  • Journal Articles
  • Conference Proceedings
  • Theses, Dissertations or Reports
  • Audio/Visual Materials


• Some libraries will not lend certain types of materials, making them difficult to obtain on loan. Often it depends on which libraries own the material and their individual lending policies. Especially hard to borrow items are:
  • Software and audio/visual Materials
  • Current Journals
  • Items in the Reserve Collection
  • Reference Books
  • Genealogy Materials
  • Archival Materials
  • Electronic Files
  • Paper Newspapers
  • Rare or Fragile Materials

Interlibrary Loan Borrowing will try to obtain books, articles, and other material not currently available at the University of Kansas Libraries. This service is available to KU faculty, staff, students, and authorized affiliates who have fewer than $80 in KU Library fines/fees.

You can submit requests for anything that supports your classroom and research needs except maps published before 1946 or items at Reserve. You can also submit interlibrary loan requests for KU items that are currently checked out to another patron.