Interlibrary Loan

Even with the convenience of FULL TEXT databases, you will still come across useful references to journal articles or books in your research that will not be available either in full text, or in the Library’s periodical or book collections.

How do I borrow a book or get an article with Interlibrary Loan?

• Go to: Interlibrary Loan (also found at the bottom navigation under Library Services)
• Enter your PSU credentials when prompted.
• Click on the blue "Create Request" button.
• Choose the tab at the top that corresponds with what type of resource you are requesting: Article/Book Chapter or Book/Media.
• Fill in as much information as you can for the resource.
• An article or book chapter will be delivered electronically. Select "Copy" in the Service Type drop down.
• A book or other media can be picked up from Lamson. Select "Loan" in the Service Type drop down.
• Make sure your name and email address are correct.
• Click on the blue "Submit Request" button.

If you found the resource in the Library Catalog, find Access Options on the item record page and click on the the blue button that says "Request Item through Interlibrary Loan." Then follow these instructions:

• Enter your PSU credentials when prompted.
• Resource information should automatically be filled in. Make sure everything looks correct.
• An article or book chapter will be delivered electronically. Make sure "Copy" is selected in the Service Type drop down.
• A book or other media can be picked up from Lamson. Make sure "Loan" is selected in the Service Type drop down.
• Make sure your name and email address are correct.
• Click on the blue "Submit Request" button.

What type of materials can be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan?

These materials can be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan:

• Books
• Theses & Dissertations
• Music scores
• Photocopies of individual journal articles
• Many audio or video recordings. Not all libraries are willing to lend AV materials, but the practice is more common now

These materials cannot be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan:

• Whole periodical issues
• Some audio or video recordings (depending on the lending library’s policy)
• Recent newspapers
• Reference books
• Bulky, fragile, or rare, extremely valuable materials (usually those materials found in “Special Collections” or archival collections)

How long will it take to get the book/article?

For a digital copy of an article or book chapter, it may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on when the request was submitted.

For books or other physical media that are borrowed from other libraries, it may take a few days up to a few weeks, depending on when the request was submitted and from where it is coming.

Visit the InterLibrary Loan tab at the bottom of the main Library page beneath Library Services to view the status of your loans.

For assistance, Ask a Librarian.