Printer FriendlyInterlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service that allows users to request that books or journal articles not available at the University Libraries be borrowed from other libraries. This service is provided to registered UMass Lowell faculty, staff, students, and corporate patrons. ILL services are available at both Lydon and O'Leary Libraries. UMass Lowell also participates in two Virtual Catalogs, the Boston Library Consortium Virtual Catalog and the Massachusetts Virtual Catalog, which allow UMass Lowell patrons to search the catalogs of many other libraries and place their own requests for books. This method is often faster than traditional ILL. For more information on using either Virtual Catalog please see our Virtual Catalog information pages.
Placing ILL Requests
What May Be Requested
What May Not Be Requested
ILLiad FAQ
ILL Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
ILL Hours and Address
Placing ILL Requests
The University Libraries use a system called ILLiad for Interlibrary Loan requests. Users choose either Lydon or O'Leary Library as their pick up library, the location from which they prefer to pick up ILL material. First time users will be asked to register for the service by providing contact information and their UMass Lowell ID number. They will choose a username and password with which they will log onto the system in the future. By logging on, users will no longer need to reenter their contact information for every request they place.
Allow sufficient time for your request to be processed. The turnaround time ranges from 4 to 14+ business days, but the Interlibrary Loan Department cannot guarantee delivery by a specified date or that a particularly rare item will be available at all.
To ensure that all requesters have an equal opportunity to have their requests processed during periods of heavy load, the library guarantees to process everyone's first five requests and then all additional requests in turn until all request are processed.
- Items that are not owned by the UMass Lowell Libraries
- Items that are owned by the UMass Lowell Libraries that are declared lost or missing
- Theses/dissertations from other universities
- Items that are listed on the library catalog as "not checked out" or "routed."
- Items that are charged out to another patron. Please submit your request through the BLC Virtual Catalog or the Massachusetts Virtual Catalog.
- Materials that are owned by the UMass Lowell Libraries that are available in the Reference Department, Special Collections and Archives, or on reserve. Sometimes these items can be borrowed from other libraries in the BLC Virtual Catalog or the Massachusetts Virtual Catalog.
- Entire issues or volumes of journals
ILL Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Do I have to specify which non-UMass Lowell Library owns the item I want?
No, the ILL staff will find which libraries own the item.
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How can I find out the status of my request?
Log on to ILLiad Lydon or ILLiad O'Leary (whichever was chosen as the home library). Scroll half way down the page and click on "View/Modify My Requests." -
How will I get my ILL material?
You will be notified by e-mail when material is ready for pick up at the home library. Most articles will be delivered electronically, but occasionally will require pick up.
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What does Interlibrary loan cost?
The library currently subsidizes all costs incurred for borrowing materials. Patrons are responsible for any costs incurred if interlibrary loans are overdue, or if material is lost or damaged. -
How long does Interlibrary loan take?
Most requests are filled in 3-14 days. Depending on the availability of the material requested, more time may be necessary. Every effort is made to fulfill all ILL requests, but occasionally some items are too rare to be obtained. Patrons are notified by email if their requests cannot be fulfilled.
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How long can I keep an Interlibrary loan?
Each institution that we borrow from determines its own policy. Most loans are for about 3-4 weeks. -
Can I renew an Interlibrary loan?
Some lending libraries do allow renewals. Renewal requests may be made through ILLiad by logging onto ILLiad Lydon or O'Leary (whichever was chosen as the home library). Scroll half way down the page and click on "View/Renew Checked Out Items." Select the desired item and click the "Renewal Request" button. The request for renewal will be submitted. If an item may not be renewed, the message, "This item does not allow renewals," appears at the top of the screen.
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Why can't I keep items longer?
The items obtained through Interlibrary Loan don't belong to the University Libraries. Interlibrary loan items belong to other institutions, that set the policies for their material. Interlibrary loan service depends on cooperation. The University Libraries observe other libraries' borrowing policies so that they will continue to share their materials with us.
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Besides the length of loan, are there any other restrictions?
Lending institutions may set special conditions such as "NO PHOTOCOPYING," "IN LIBRARY USE ONLY," or "NO RENEWAL." They may also RECALL an item if it is needed by one of their own users.
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What should I do when I am done with the item?
On or before the due date, return the item to the library from which it was picked up. Photocopies of journal articles need not be returned.
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What if I return my ILL item after the due date? What if I lose an item?
Patrons who damage or lose an ILL item will be required to pay the replacement cost and any processing fees charged by the lending institution and will be blocked from charging out materials at the UML Libraries.
If the fees are not paid immediately, the charges will be billed as official university debt, following University Libraries' procedures. Patrons who abuse ILL privileges will be denied them in the future.
ILL Hours and Address
Lydon Library
ILL Department
84 University Avenue
Lowell, MA 01854
(978) 934-3206
Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
O'Leary Library
ILL Department
61 Wilder Street
Lowell, MA 01854
(978) 934-4573
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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