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Interlibrary Loan

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About Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Loan is an alternative method to obtain research materials not available on campus or in the Electronic Journal Center. These materials include articles, books, media, and more. Librarians can assist you with finding and/or printing materials.

This service is available to Wright State University faculty and staff, affiliated emeritus faculty, and currently registered Wright State University students. Contact us with questions via email or by phone at 937-775-3941.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I use Interlibrary Loan?

    When you cannot locate an item you need in the Library Catalog, you may enter an online Interlibrary Loan request. Library staff can assist you, if needed.

    Interlibrary Loan staff will locate and request the item for you.

  • How much does it cost?

    This is a free service to Wright State students, faculty, and staff. If your material has a cost, the Wright State Libraries will do their best to cover the costs in support of the scholarship of faculty and students. Ordering agreements among libraries allow us to keep these costs low. However, sometimes a resource must be ordered through a publisher, commercial agent, or international library. Each request could cost $20 or more, plus additional copyright fees. The Libraries will contact you if costs for your request are exceedingly high.

  • How long does it take?

    Materials ordered through Interlibrary Loan arrive on average within seven business days, but may take longer depending on the speed of the lending library. Requests sent overseas can sometimes take several months.

  • Completing the Interlibrary Loan request form

    Providing complete and accurate information on the request form helps reduce processing time. Abbreviations and incomplete or incorrect information on the request form delays the processing of a request. Including the citation number from an online search is especially helpful. For help in verifying a citation or translating abbreviations, ask a reference librarian for assistance. If you need to make changes to your ILL request, please contact us.

    Please note that we do NOT request textbooks from other libraries.

  • Where is the Interlibrary Loan office?

    The Interlibrary Loan Office is in Dunbar Library at the Circulation Desk. You can also call 937-775-3941 or email for assistance.

  • What will other libraries loan?

    Other libraries will generally loan material that they circulate to their own patrons. They often will not loan textbooks, reference books, course reserve books, rare books, microfilm, dissertations, technical reports, or audiovisual material. Individual issues or bound volumes of periodicals are rarely loaned.

Notification and Checkout

When requested materials arrive, the Interlibrary Loan staff notifies the requester:

  • Books: Wright State faculty, staff, and students are notified by email. Materials are held for pickup at the Circulation Desk for 9 days after notification or until the material is scheduled to be returned to the owning library.
  • Photocopies: Most copies are delivered electronically. If a printed copy is received, Wright State students are notified by email. Materials are held for pickup at the Circulation Desk for 9 days after notification.

Books and other circulating materials are checked out using your Wright1 Card. Your borrowing privileges in Interlibrary Loan and Circulation are blocked when you have any overdue material. Please remember to check your Wright State email for Interlibrary Loan communications from staff. We are excited to help you find the resources you need!