What is ILL? ILL is interlibrary loan, a service that most libraries have that enables them to borrow library materials from each other.

Who can use ILL? If you have an active TSTC Waco library card and no overdue materials or fines, you may use this service.

When should I use ILL? Interlibrary loan may be requested for course-related research only (such as research assigned by TSTC Waco instructors) when the Library Online Catalog does not show that TSTC Library owns the book you want or the Periodical Holdings List shows that the Library does not own the periodical issue that contains the article you want. The Interlibrary Loan Department personnel will request the item for you from another library.
You cannot request interlibrary loan for materials if they are not directly related to serious course-related research assigned by TSTC Waco instructors. Also, you cannot request audiovisual material (i.e., videos, CDs, etc.), hard copy issues of magazines or newspapers (as only photocopies of magazines or newspapers are interlibrary loaned), computer software, books published within the last three months or items that the TSTC Waco Library owns or has on order. However, you may request a TexShare card as an alternative, if you are in good standing with the TSTC Waco Library (no overdue items or fines).

How do I submit an ILL request? An Online interlibrary loan Web form is available from any Internet-connected computer. The Web address for ILL forms is http://walib.tstc.edu/per/ill/illHome.asp, but may be used only by TSTC faculty and staff or verified TSTC Waco distance learning students who are not within driving distance of the TSTC Waco campus and are not taking courses on campus. (Faculty and staff and qualified distance learning students, simply click here. ) If the Web form is not available to you, ask at the circulation desk for help.

How can I get my materials on time? Plan ahead and do your research early. Requests are usually processed and completed within 7 to 21 days although some can take longer.

How long can I keep the material? The lending library determines how long you may keep items. The date the items must be returned to the library will be provided to you when you get the items. Photocopies are yours to keep.

What if I am late returning an item, or it is lost or stolen? If you are late returning an item, you will not be allowed to check out any other material until the item is returned. Contact us immediately if your material is lost or stolen. You are financially responsible for lost or stolen items. We will contact the lending library, and they will notify us of the cost of replacing the item.

How much will an ILL request cost me? The TSTC Waco Library tries to borrow from libraries that do not charge us. We can usually obtain books for free, but many libraries may charge for photocopy (magazine or newspaper) requests. Students are responsible for all charges from the lending library. You pay for your items when you pick them up.
Interlibrary loan requests are free to TSTC faculty and staff even though ILL transactions are expensive. The cost for a completed interlibrary loan transaction in the United States is over $30 per request on average. In our case, the State Library in Austin covers part of this cost.

What might delay ILL requests? Inaccurate information, especially inaccurate citation information, can slow the request. Be sure to provide accurate title, issue and page information. Including periodical ISSN numbers can help, too. ILL electronic forms that are insufficiently filled out will not process. Important Tip: Be sure to put a date on your ILL form that reflects the time past which you no longer need the information you are requesting. Use the date format yyyymmdd (e.g., 19970927).

Can requests be turned down? Copyright guidelines require "fair use" limits on interlibrary loan borrowing. So we ask you to limit your requests for journal articles to no more than two per year from the same journal title within the last five years. Also, we ask that you request for service one item a time. Until you return the loaned item you may not be able to request for a second service. And of course, sometimes a library cannot be found that owns or is willing to loan the item.

Go back to complete the ILL form

Please send comments or questions concerning ILL policy to