Interlibrary loan is an important service for accessing books, articles, book chapters, dissertations or other items that are not retrievable from the UM catalog or MOBIUS. You will need citation information for the item (for articles, inclusive page numbers) and to fill out online forms for the item you are requesting.
Learn how to place requests for a sample article as well as review of the basic features of the the ILL system.
1. What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?
Interlibrary Loan is a service that allows students, faculty, and staff to borrow books, articles, and other materials that are not available in our library collection from other libraries.
2. Who can use ILL?
ILL is available to all currently enrolled law students, faculty, and staff of the university.
3. How much does ILL cost?
ILL is free for law students, but late returns or lost items may incur fines. Certain rare or international items may have additional costs, which will be communicated upfront.
4. How do I request materials through ILL?
You can submit an ILL request online through the library’s website by clicking on the ILL icon (by logging into your account if necessary) and filling out the request form from the "New Requests" drop down menu for the desired material.
5. What kinds of materials can I request?
You can request books, journal articles, chapters from books, and sometimes audiovisual materials. Note that textbooks and entire eBooks are often unavailable for loan due to copyright restrictions.
6. Can I request materials from other law libraries?
Yes, the ILL system connects with libraries nationwide, so you can request legal texts, casebooks, or specialized materials not available in our collection.
7. How long does it take to get ILL materials?
Most articles arrive within 1-3 business days, while books and physical materials may take 1-2 weeks, depending on the lending library’s location.
8. How will I receive my ILL materials?
9. Can I expedite a request?
Unfortunately, ILL requests cannot be expedited, but you can indicate an urgency when submitting the request. The library will try to fulfill it as quickly as possible.
10. How long can I keep ILL materials?
Loan periods vary depending on the lending library’s policies, but typically they range from 2 to 4 weeks.
11. Can I renew ILL materials?
Renewals depend on the lending library’s policies.
12. Where do I return ILL materials?
Return physical items to the circulation desk where you picked them up. Please ensure they are returned on time to avoid fines.
13. What if the material I need isn’t available through ILL?
If a material cannot be sourced through ILL, you can work with a librarian to explore alternative options, such as finding similar resources or purchasing the material.
14. What happens if I lose or damage an ILL item?
You will be responsible for replacement or repair costs set by the lending library. Contact the ILL office immediately if an item is lost or damaged.
15. Can I use ILL for out-of-print or rare books?
It’s possible to request rare or out-of-print books, but availability depends on lending library policies. Contact a librarian for assistance with these types of requests.
16. Can I request primary legal sources (cases, statutes, regulations) through ILL?
Primary sources are generally available through legal databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, but you can use ILL to request books and treatises that provide commentary or analysis on these sources.
17. Can I use ILL to request materials for my legal writing assignment or seminar paper?
Yes! ILL is a great resource for accessing specialized legal texts, journal articles, and historical legal documents. However, item's held in a library's special and historical collections tend not to circulate. Contact a librarian for help with these items.
18. How can I check the status of my ILL request?
Log in to your ILL account to check the status of your request. You’ll also receive email updates when materials are shipped or ready for pickup.
19. Who can I contact if I have questions or need help with my ILL request?
You can contact the library’s ILL office via email, phone, or in person at the circulation desk.
)