What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service that obtains library materials that are not otherwise available to the Brooklyn College community. Most ILL transactions are done electronically through a secure online ILLiad account.
Who is eligible to make an ILL request?
ILL services are extended to Brooklyn College faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and members of the IRPE. Patrons must have a current Brooklyn College I.D. that has been ACTIVATED at the Circulation Desk in the library.
Do I have to pay for an ILL request?
The Library absorbs ILL costs, so ILL is free to patrons. However, the patron is responsible for overdue and lost book fees.
How do I get started?
First, create your account. Go to the ILLiad log in page, click on "First Time Users," and create your account.
What is ILLiad?
ILLiad is a management program that provides secure login for your account and enables you to place and track your request. A first-time user registration is needed. After that, you will be able to log in directly to your account.
Which books may be requested through ILL?
ILL will not request a book that is available in Brooklyn College or in any CUNY library. Therefore, check OneSearch. If the book is available in a CUNY library (other than Brooklyn), request the item via the "Request" button in the catalog record. If it is not available in Brooklyn College or in CUNY, proceed to ILLiad.
Which articles may be requested through ILL?
ILL will not request an article that is available in Brooklyn College Library. Therefore, check both OneSearch and the E-Journals Finder to see if the article is available in the Brooklyn College Library, either in hard copy, in the electronic databases, or on microfilm. If it is not available in Brooklyn College Library in any format, then proceed to ILLiad.
Are there any exceptions as to what may be requested through ILL?
How long will it take to get my requested material?
Delivery times vary. Most articles arrive electronically and will be delivered to your ILLiad or email account, sometimes overnight (not always!). For books and other loans, we depend on the generosity and alacrity of other libraries to fill your requests and on the U.S. Post Office and other delivery services to deliver. Most items should arrive within a week to ten days. If any item is delayed for more than two weeks, please contact ILL.
When and where should I pick up my requested material?
You will be notified by e-mail when the materials arrive.
Books and other loans are to be picked up from and returned to the Circulation Desk on the first floor of the Library, to the right of the entrance.
Most articles arrive electronically and will be delivered to your ILLiad or email account. If an article does arrive in hard copy, it will be placed at the Circulation Desk for pickup. Articles do not need to be returned.
How long can I keep requested materials?
Loan periods vary, so check the due date on the book band. Renewals can be arranged only with permission of the lending library. To request a renewal, please contact Interlibrary Loan at least two days prior to the due date. Articles are yours to keep.
Can I make an ILL request directly from WorldCat?
Yes! WorldCat is a "world catalog" of more than 10,000 libraries worldwide. It is the same resource that the Interlibrary Loan staff uses. To access it, go to the library home page, click Databases, and scroll down to WorldCat (not Worldcat.org).
If your search produces more than one record for a title, choose the record with the most libraries. WorldCat icons will inform you if the item is available in the Brooklyn College Library (BROOKLYN COL LIBR) or elsewhere in CUNY (CUNY LIBRARIES).
If the book is owned by Brooklyn College or CUNY, click on "Libraries worldwide that own item"; you will be able to link to each CUNY Library to see if it is available.
If it is available at Brooklyn College, simply retrieve it yourself. If it is available in CUNY, use OneSearch to request it.
Otherwise, click on "Request item through ILL." This will connect you to the ILLiad login page. Use your ILLiad login: your complete BC email address and your password. The request form will be populated automatically with your information and the citation.
Can I make an ILL request directly from the online databases?
Yes! Click on the desired article's 
button to get a "request via ILL" option. Clicking on that option will bring you to the ILLiad login page. Use your ILLiad login: your complete BC email address and your password. The request form will be populated automatically with your information and citation. Please check the form to make sure the citation has transferred completely.
