Purpose

Interlibrary loan (ILL) service works to obtain, whenever possible, materials not available in the Rowan University libraries. This may include, but is not limited to, books, journal articles, documents, and audio-visual materials. These materials are borrowed from other libraries, both in this country and throughout the world; in some cases, the purchase of articles from commercial suppliers may be warranted.

Number of requests and Pick-Up Policy

Individual ILL requests are limited to ten (10) per person per week. Requests must allow up to 14 days from date of request for processing. We do not process requests for books or other materials that are merely charged out from our collection. Also, we do not process requests for articles that are available full-text on the library's databases. If you have problems locating materials in the library, check with a librarian before processing an interlibrary loan request. Books or multimedia materials must be picked up at the Campbell Library circulation desk within five days after notice of receipt. If an extension of time is necessary, the ILL office must be notified (856-256-4803) or fines will be charged.

Who May Borrow

Those eligible to place an ILL request at Rowan's Library Services are:

• Current and faculty, and staff.
• Currently enrolled graduate and undergraduate students.
• Alumni cannot use this service.

The conditions of this service are set by the Interlibrary Loan Code of the American Library Association and by the regulations of individual lending libraries. All guidelines reflect these conditions and encourage cooperation from everyone for the most effective service.

What may be borrowed?

• Materials not owned by the library, either in print or electronic format.
• Materials declared missing from the collection after the completion of a trace procedure.

Materials Which might be difficult to borrow

Most libraries will NOT ordinarily lend the following types of materials:

• Basic reference material
• Rare or valuable material, including manuscripts
• Bulky or fragile items that are difficult or expensive to ship
• Material in high demand at the lending library
• Material with local circulation restrictions
• Unique material that would be difficult or impossible to replace
• U.S. books published within the present calendar year
• Audio tapes, maps, software/MRD, CD ROM, and sound recordings

Looking for a doctoral dissertation?

Many of our bibliographic indexes include citations for doctoral dissertations, the research thesis required of all Ph.D. degree candidates. The citations will often indicate an item is a dissertation or identify the source of the record as Dissertation Abstracts International, (Digital Dissertations) the major index for dissertations. Please keep in mind that the libraries at the universities where they were produced own the dissertations, and there is the possibility that a library will not lend dissertations.

To obtain dissertations produced in year 1997 to present, go to Digital Dissertations, which allows you to request a free download of the entire dissertation; it will be sent as a PDF file to your email address. This database provides information for purchasing paper, microfilm or microfiche copies of dissertations written prior to 1997 that range in price from $38.00 to $59.00. 

Completing the Online request form

The first time you use ILL service, a basic information template must be completed. Once submitted, your personal information will be on file, and all subsequent request forms will come up with this information pre-populated on the form. A separate request form must be completed for each item needed. Search Books in Print, Global to locate an item’s unique ISBN if it is not included in the citation you have; search Ulrich’s to find a journal’s ISSN if not found on the citation of the desired article. [NOTE: Books published before 1970 will not have an ISBN.] In either case, if the identifying item number (ISBN or ISSN) cannot be found, type “unknown” in the space.

Remember: requests will not be honored if Rowan owns the item or if we have electronic access to the full text of an article. Double check for Rowan ownership by completing a catalog search for a book title or a journal title either in Rowan’s catalog or in WorldCat.

How long does it take?

Place your requests early, since it might take up to two weeks or longer for books. Often requests arrive within the week, and journal articles within a day or two, but ILL cannot guarantee a delivery date.

How Am I Notified?

You will receive an email from ILLliad with a link to an electronic access item or when material is ready for pick up. Materials may be picked up at the Campbell Library circulation desk. Please pick up material within 3-5 days of notification. Articles that are sent electronically will be delivered or emailed to the email address supplied. Please check with the department at 856-256-4803 or email rowanill@rowan.edu if you do not receive notification within 2 weeks.

How Do I Use Borrowed Materials? (including replacement costs)

• The lending library sets the loan period and any restrictions on the use of borrowed materials.
• Note the due date on the book strap and return all forms with the material.
• Try to request renewals before the due date. Renewals of interlibrary loan material are strictly at the discretion of the lending library.
• Disregard of due dates may result in the suspension of both interlibrary borrowing privileges and Rowan library borrowing privileges and a bill for replacement of the item.
• Please do not use campus mail or library book drops to return interlibrary loan materials.
• Photocopies of journal articles do not need to be returned.

Interlibrary Loan Office

rowanill@rowan.edu
(856) 256-4803

Faye Robinson
robinson@rowan.edu
(856) 256-4966

Joyce McCaughey
mccaughey@rowan.edu
(856) 256-4712

Elaine Gatton
gatton@rowan.edu
(856) 256-4712