Faculty Professional Development Resources: Interlibrary Loan

Using Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

What if the library doesn't have the book or article that you need? Ask us to borrow it from another library. Just fill out the ILL request form with specific information about the book or article that you need. While the most recent books are difficult to obtain, most of the time we can get what you want. Expect a delivery time of 7 to 10 days for books; for articles it's much quicker - 1 to 3 days. Limit three requests at a time, please!

Frequently Asked Questions

What items can I request through Interlibrary Loan?

You may request books, journal/magazine/newspaper articles, and audio-visual materials. There's no guarantee that we can get everything you request, but we'll certainly try. Please make sure that our library does not have the item before you request it. You can always ask a librarian for help with this if you need it -- our contact information is in the box below.  Please limit your interlibrary loan requests to three at a time.

Are there fees for using Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary Loans are usually free of charge for current TCC students, staff, and faculty. However, sometimes a fee is required to borrow the material (The TCC Library loans materials to other libraries at no cost, but many libraries do not). In the event that a fee is required to obtain your requested material, we will notify you to approve the charges before placing your request.

How long does it take to receive borrowed items?

That depends on which library lends it to us and the time it takes to ship. In most cases, books and audio-visual materials take about 5-10 business days. Journal/magazine articles can be sent electronically, so they are usually received within 2-5 days. We search the closest libraries first (i.e. libraries in Washington), but if your item is not available in the Northwest we will search nationwide or even (in rare cases) internationally.

How long may I borrow the item?

The loan period is determined by the lending library, not by TCC library. Loans can be anywhere from 2-8 weeks, depending on the lender's policy. Overdue fines will be assessed to items returned after the due date.

What happens if I lose or damage a borrowed item?

Patrons who lose or damage interlibrary loan materials will be charged according to the fees of the lending library. 

What items do we loan to other libraries?

We loan just about everything except items from special collections, such as course reserves.  

How do I place an Interlibrary Loan?

You can email your ILL request to library@tacomacc.edu. Thank you!

Searching WorldCat

Sometimes, searching for books in an academic context is helpful. WorldCat allows you to search the content of libraries across the world. Find a title you like, jot down the details like title, author, and date of publication. Then fill in the ILL request form for the item. You'll be notified by the library for pickup when it arrives.