Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery– Frequently Asked Questions

Who may use Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery?

• The Health Sciences Library Interlibrary Loan Department processes requests from MU faculty, staff, and students in Medicine, Nursing, Health Related Professions, Nutrition, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, and Veterinary Medicine.
• Affiliated distance education students can also use these services.
• Unaffiliated users may request items for a fee.

How can I order materials that are not available on campus? How can I order materials that are available on campus?

• You can request materials that the library owns and does not own through ILL@MU.

• Requesting materials that are not available on campus...
  • There is no cost to MU affiliates.
  • Processed as Interlibrary Loan requests.

• Requesting materials that are available on campus...
  • Cost: $5.
  • Add and select a billing account in ILL@MU.
  • Student charge and department charge (MO Code) are accepted.
  • Processed as Document Delivery requests.
  
  

How can I place a request for materials?

If you already have a reference to an article you want...

1. Search and place a request for a specific article all in one step using the Article Finder .
2. The Article Finder will take you to an online copy (if available). 
3. If the article isn't online, you can look for a paper copy in the libraries &/or place an order to have it delivered to you via email.

You can also use the blank Journal Article Request form to request journal articles in ILL@MU.

To order articles found in databases like MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, etc...  

1. Select the . 
2. It will take you to an online copy (if available). 
3. If the article isn't online, you can look for a paper copy in the library &/or place an order to have it delivered to you via email.    

To order books...

1. Use the Book Finder to search for and order a book.
2. Request the book from the MERLIN and MOBIUS catalogs if the book is available.
3. If the book isn't in MERLIN or MOBIUS, you can place your request via Interlibrary Loan.

You can also use the blank Book Request Form to request books in ILL@MU.

How can I check to see which materials are available at the library?

• Article Finder
• Book Finder (search/request from MERLIN and statewide MOBIUS catalogs)

How long does it take?

Most requests for photocopied articles are received in 2-4 days; books sometimes take 2-3 weeks.

If the request is needed sooner, a rush service is available. Rush requests are treated with the highest priority and are usually processed within 4-5 hours. There is a $5 charge per rush request.

How do I receive/return materials?

Journal articles or book chapters are made available online. Email notices are sent to an MU email account when item(s) are available.

Books can be picked up at the Circulation Desk. Users are called or emailed when books arrive. Books should be returned to the Interlibrary Loan Department..

Is there a charge for Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary loan service is provided at no cost to MU affiliates, with the exception of rush requests. MU Libraries subsidizes the cost of ordering materials that MU Libraries do not own.

Requests for materials that are available on campus can be processed as Document Delivery requests for a fee.