Interlibrary Loan

Online Request Forms for:

• Books (includes videos/dissertations/scores, etc.)
• Articles
• Book chapters

Note:  If you encounter problems with the request forms listed above, click here to submit your request(s).

The interlibrary loan service enables UC students, faculty, and staff to borrow materials that are not available at UCLA libraries from other libraries, both in this country and abroad. The service is generally free to eligible borrowers.

Note: For information on document delivery services for off-campus (non-UC) users, see Document Delivery for Non-UC Users.

• Who is eligible for this service?
• How do I make an interlibrary loan request?
• What can I request through interlibrary loan?
• Items that may be difficult to obtain
• What items are not eligible for interlibrary loan?
• How long will it take to fill a request?
• How long can I use the item?

Who is eligible for this service?

In order to meet the demand for this service, interlibrary loans can be requested only by eligible borrowers, as follows:

• UC faculty members, including emeriti
• UC academic library card holders
• UC students
• UC staff library card holders

UCLA Extension students, UCLA extension faculty, alumni, courtesy, reference and fee card holders, and members of the general public are not eligible. These users may request interlibrary loans through their local public libraries.

How do I make an interlibrary loan request?

Before requesting an item through interlibrary loan (ILL), make sure it is not available at any UCLA library by searching ORION2.

ILL requests can be placed through the following methods:

• CDL Request: CDL Request enables UC students, faculty, and staff to obtain items they have located in the CDL’s Melvyl Catalog. Items located at another UC campus will be delivered to the UCLA library of the user’s choice. Registered ORION Express users can also place requests for UCLA-owned items through this service.
• UC-eLinks: Available in CDL-licensed databases, UC-eLinks enables users to move from a citation for an article or book to the item itself. If the item is available online, UC-eLinks provides a link to the electronic version. If it is available in print, UC-eLinks searches for a library that owns it (in the case of journal articles, it searches for the journal in which the article appears), then links to CDL Request, from which users can place an interlibrary loan or ORION Express request.
• Electronic Request Form: If you don't find the item in ORION2, the CDL's Melvyl Catalog, or another CDL-hosted database, fill out the electronic request form. UCLA library staff will search for the item based on the information you provide.
• ORION Express (fee-based document delivery service): Registered ORION Express users can use this fee-based document delivery service to place interlibrary loan requests. To do so, fill out the blank request form available online.

What can I request through interlibrary loan?

• Items not owned by UCLA libraries.
• Items missing from UCLA libraries. Before requesting an interlibrary loan for a missing item, check ORION2 to see if another UCLA library has a copy; if not, request a formal search at the appropriate circulation desk for the missing item. At least one unsuccessful search must be completed before an ILL will be accepted. If there is no other UCLA copy and a search has already been conducted or the item has been declared missing, you may request the ILL immediately.
• Items at UCLA libraries that can no longer circulate because of their fragile condition.

Items that may be difficult to obtain:

What items are not eligible for interlibrary loan?

Items available at UCLA libraries cannot be requested through interlibrary loan. These include reserve, reference, or microform items and items designated as non-circulating.

How long will it take to fill a request?

Requested items usually arrive within three weeks after the request is submitted, although difficult-to-obtain items may take much longer. Normal turnaround time for requests submitted through CDL Request is one to two weeks. Delivery time is related to the lending library's procedures, availability of materials, and the delivery service used. Please be sure to allow enough time to receive requests.

You will be notified by mail, telephone, or email when the item arrives. The notification will specify where and when you can pick up the item. Return items to the same desk. It is important to keep ILL items separate from materials checked out from UCLA libraries.

How long can I use the item?

If the item is a photocopy, it is yours to keep in most cases. For loans of books or other items, the lending library sets the length of time and any special conditions of the loan, such as "library use only" or "nonrenewable."

To request a renewal, contact the interlibrary loan desk at which you picked up the item. Normally, up to two renewals of two weeks each in length are permitted by lenders.

Please handle all borrowed items with care and return them promptly when they are due.

Your respect of the lending libraries' materials and adherence to any restrictions placed on them is crucial to maintain UCLA Library borrowing privileges with other libraries.

You, the borrower, are financially responsible for any damage to or loss of interlibrary loan items. Should any damage occur, report it immediately to the ILL desk from which you received the item; do not attempt to repair it yourself.

If you have further questions, ask a reference librarian for assistance.

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