Frequently asked questions about Interlibrary Loan
Who is eligible to make interlibrary loan requests?
UCSC faculty, staff and currently enrolled students. Community patrons and UC alumni should consult with their local public library.
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How much does an interlibrary loan cost?
Though we provide ILL services to eligible UCSC patrons at no charge, the average cost of an interlibrary loan transaction is about $28.00. Please request only those materials necessary for your research, retrieve items promptly after being notified of their receipt, and return materials on or before the due date.
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How do I request an interlibrary loan item?
The fastest and most accurate method for UCSC users to borrow items from other libraries is to use the "Melvyl Request" feature available in:
If you are unable to use "Request" above, order an item using a blank Citation Linker form:
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What is "Melvyl Request" ?
Melvyl Request is a program that allows authenticated users to place requests directly from the Melvyl catalog or, via the UC-eLinks function, directly from various article databases. For more information about Melvyl Request, see:
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What if UCSC owns the item?
An ILL request may be placed for an UCSC-owned item, provided the item is currently checked out to another patron, is declared lost or missing, or is otherwise unavailable. Materials that are available in the Reserve Book Service may not be requested through the ILL service. Requests for items on Reserve at either McHenry or the Science & Engineering Library will be canceled.
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Book Loans
When an item is borrowed for your use, the lending library will determine the length of the loan period, indicate whether that period may be extended by a renewal, and/or stipulate any restrictions on the use of the book. For example, when lending a rare or valuable book, a library may specify that it must be used only in the borrowing library building or that it may not be photocopied.
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Journals
Libraries rarely lend entire issues or volumes of journals. Most libraries will provide photocopies or electronic copies of journal articles rather than send the issue. If a photocopy is sent it then becomes the property of the requesting individual.
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How Long Does It Take?
70% of all materials arrive within 3-5 working days. The fastest method for requesting materials is via Melvyl Request. Materials not owned within the UC system that are requested from elsewhere take longer to arrive. In some instances, materials may not be available. This is especially true for rare and unique items. If items are requested during peak activity periods such as mid-terms and finals, processing time will be delayed.
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Notification of Materials' Arrival
We will inform you by e-mail about the arrival of ILL materials. Therefore, it is very important that an accurate e-mail address is included with each request. Inquiries about the status of a request may be made to the ILL Office via e-mail ill@library.ucsc.edu or phone 459-2234. Please note that when using Request, you have the option to confirm your order by sending yourself an email. For items ordered through Request, you may first receive your confirmation email, and then another email saying your ILL order has arrived. The status of your request may be monitored at My ILL Requests
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Picking Up Materials
Materials are held for pickup at the Circulation Desk of either McHenry Library or the Science & Engineering Library. Materials must be picked up by the person making the request or their proxy. Present your UCSC library card and photo ID to pickup the material. For materials delivered via the Web, borrowers will be emailed with instructions on how to retrieve the item.
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Returns & Renewals
ILL due dates and other restrictions (library use only, no photocopying, no renewal, etc.) are set by the lending library. The date due and lending restrictions are noted on the green strap wrapped around each item. You may also find additional information or restrictions on your ILL item by checking the request details at:
My ILL Requests ... show me how.
Materials can be returned at either McHenry or Science & Engineering circulation desks.
To ensure that ILL materials are renewed properly, please submit renewal requests between two weeks before and two weeks after the due date. Renewals may be requested at My ILL Requests. If you are having difficulty using this service, please use our manual renewal form.
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What If My ILL Item is Overdue?
ILL books are renewable beginning two weeks before the due date and ending two weeks after the due date. Four weeks after the due date, the item is billable. Patrons with an ILL bill charged to their account will be blocked from using library services until the book is returned or the fines are paid.
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Borrowing Standards
Your adherence to the borrowing regulations specified by the lending library are critical to the continued use of that institution's resources by this university.
The UCSC Library subscribes to the National Interlibrary Loan Code of the American Library Association as well as to regional agreements. We also adhere strictly to copyright law.
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Fees and Fines
Fees for Interlibrary Loan:
There is no charge for Interlibrary Loan services for UCSC affiliates.
Fines for Interlibrary Loan:
Items are billable two weeks after their due date. You are responsible for keeping track of the due dates of your materials. Courtesy overdue notices are sent via email to the address you have on file with ILL, generally about one week after the due date.
If you have been billed you will be charged:
- $65.00 replacement fee
- $20.00 billing fee
Once you have been billed you will be blocked from using Interlibrary Loan and other library services.
When you return billed items, the $65.00 replacement fee will be canceled. The billing and late fees will NOT be canceled.
If you would like to contest your fines, you must fill out the Billing Appeal Form.
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For more information email us at ill@library.ucsc.edu, or call 459-2234.
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