Do you need an item that the University of Alabama Libraries does not own? Did you find an article on Google Scholar, but ran into a paywall when trying to access the full text? We can try to get it for you!
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Document Delivery are services provided by the University Libraries to support scholarly research and curriculum needs. Current faculty, students, and staff are eligible to borrow materials from libraries around the world. The University Libraries subsidizes the costs of the service for our users.
Access the Interlibrary Loan portal via the UA Libraries' home page.
This video will walk you through the steps to request materials through UA Libraries' Interlibrary Loan service.
What kind of materials can be requested?
Books, dissertations and theses, monographs, newspapers, materials reproduced on microfilm, and older volumes of periodicals can usually be borrowed. Photocopies of journal articles or of short sections of books can generally be obtained. For questions about other types of items, check the policies or contact the Interlibrary Loan Department.
How long can I keep the books I borrow?
Books from UA's collection have the same loan period that on-campus users receive. The length of the loan depends on your status (undergraduate, graduate) and the type of material being loaned. Non-circulating materials, such as reference books, cannot be borrowed by distance learning students.
Books from other institutions will generally have a loan period between 2-4 weeks. Interlibrary loan materials are subject to recall by the lending library at any time. In the event this should happen, please return recalled items immediately.
Can I renew my books?
You can renew books from UA's collection by using the Libraries' Catalog or contacting the Circulation Department.
To renew books from other institutions, you must request a renewal through the Interlibrary Loan Office at least one week before the due date by telephone, e-mail, or in person. If a renewal is possible, you will be contacted by phone or e-mail and informed of the new due date. If the ILL band is marked "Not Renewable," the lending library has already indicated a renewal is not possible.
The Interlibrary Loan staff mails books to distance education students and approved commuter students.
Borrowers are responsible for returning the books when they are due, for proper packing, return postage, and any fines assessed for late fees or damaged materials.
If you're returning your books to the library, please use one of the following two addresses:
U.S. Postal Service (mail) or UPS or Overnight Carrier
Interlibrary Loan
University of Alabama Libraries
711 Capstone Drive- Room 208
BOX 870266
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0266
If you need help with an ILL request, please contact the Interlibrary Loan Department; you can reach them at 205-348-4018 or illstaff@bama.ua.edu.