Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

General Information

The interlibrary loan service enables UC students, faculty, and staff to borrow materials not available in UCLA libraries. You don't have to specify a location, UCLA will automatically search for availability in other libraries, both in this country and abroad.

• When possible, articles, book chapters, and other short works will normally be scanned and e-mailed directly to you.
• Longer works, such as books, microforms, and whole journals will be physically mailed to UCLA. Upon their arrival you will be notified by e-mail and can come to the library and check them out.

Eligibility

The service is free to eligible borrowers:

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

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

To request an item directly from the UC-wide Melvyl Catalog or a database

• Melvyl: Choose your home campus, search the catalog, then use the service

• Article Indexes and Databases: Search an individual index or database, then use 

• If the title is not in Melvyl, use either the Book Request Form or Article Request Form.  

Users can check the status of a request, cancel, and renew by logging in to My ILL Requests

What Items Can Be Requested

• Items not owned by UCLA libraries.
• Items that are checked out of UCLA libraries, excluding materials on reserve for a course.
• Items missing from UCLA libraries. Before requesting an interlibrary loan for a missing item, check the UCLA Library Catalog to see if another UCLA library has a copy; if not, request a formal search for the item at the owning library's circulation desk or online. At least one unsuccessful search must be completed before an interlibrary loan request will be accepted. If there is no other UCLA copy or if a search has already been conducted or the item has been declared missing, an interlibrary loan request can be submitted immediately.
• Items at UCLA libraries that can no longer circulate because of their fragile condition.

Items That Cannot Be Requested

• Reference materials
• Course reserves
• Non-circulating items (i.e. Special Collections)

Items That May Be Difficult to Obtain

• Entire journal volumes or issues
• Titles only owned at foreign institutions
• E-Pub/Articles ahead of print