General Information

Frequently Asked Questions

The WSU interlibrary loan service is located in Room 119 in the Ablah Library. The following are frequently asked questions concerning interlibrary loan policy and procedure. Click on the question for which you wish information. If you have any further questions, please contact an interlibrary loan staff member at 978-3167 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

1. What are interlibrary loan services?

2. Who may use interlibrary services?

3. How do I request material?

4. Is there a charge for requested material?

5. What types of material may be borrowed?

6. How long does it take to obtain material?

7. How long may I keep borrowed material?

8. How do I contact Interlibrary Loan with my questions or comments?

INTERLIBRARY LOAN SERVICES

When research material is unavailable in the WSU Library, interlibrary loan borrows or obtains photocopies of the needed material, usually from another library. Most interlibrary loan requests are processed via the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), an international network of participating libraries. Material is first requested from Kansas libraries. If unavailable in Kansas, libraries in the United States are contacted, and, if necessary, libraries overseas may be able to provide the information.
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WHO MAY REQUEST MATERIAL THROUGH WSU INTERLIBRARY LOAN

All WSU faculty, students, and staff may request research material through interlibrary loan. Non-WSU affiliated researchers may use the interlibrary loan services of their public, university, or school library.
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HOW TO REQUEST MATERIAL

Electronic request forms are available.
Books:   http://library.wichita.edu/ill/ill-cbook.html
Copies:  http://library.wichita.edu/ill/ill-cper.html
 
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COST TO OBTAIN MATERIAL

Most requested material is available from libraries with which we have reciprocal agreements for the free exchange of material.  Some sources, however, will charge a loan or copy fee.  In the interest of assisting WSU faculty, staff, and student research, the Library subsidizes reasonable loan and copy fees. 
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MATERIAL WHICH MAY BE BORROWED

Most books and journal articles may be obtained. We do not borrow text books due to class size and the length of the semester. Media materials such as videocassettes and audio tapes are becoming more available but may require more time to obtain as we often must contact several sources before locating one which will loan. Original research materials published before 1900 are difficult to borrow as are entire journal issues. Many dissertations and theses are non-circulating. If you are unsure of the availability of the material you wish to request, the best method is to complete the interlibrary loan request form and we will search our sources and notify you if the material is unavailable. If we are unable to borrow the item, we may be able to assist in locating sources if you wish to purchase the material.
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LENGTH OF TIME TO OBTAIN REQUESTED MATERIAL

Due to advances in technology, the “turnaround” time, from request submission to the document in your hands, is decreasing.  Copies of articles are usually available within three days and books within one week.  We cannot provide an exact time to obtain materials, however, as there are too many variables involved so you should allow two weeks from the date of your submission to ensure you receive your research material in time. 
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LENGTH OF LOANS AND RENEWALS

Photocopies of articles are yours to keep. Borrowed books are usually available for two to three weeks with a potential two week renewal. Libraries loan books to us as a courtesy and we must abide by any and all restrictions imposed by the lending library. It is also important to return borrowed interlibrary loan books on time as they may be needed by patrons at the lending library. If you need to use the book longer than the alloted loan time, please contact interlibrary loan at least two to three days before the due date for a possible renewal.
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CONTACTING INTERLIBRARY LOAN

Interlibrary Loan hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Telephone: (316) 978-3167
Telefax: (316) 978-3048
Campus Box: 68
Ariel: 156.26.96.251


Updated: February 28, 2007     Contact Interlibrary Loan Dept.    Interlibrary Loan Home Page