The HPU Libraries provide Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery services in order to help University students and faculty obtain research materials that are not readily available in the HPU Libraries' collections. "Interlibrary Loan" and "Document Delivery" are the terms used to describe the process of borrowing books and/or obtaining journal articles from other libraries or institutions.
Because ILL requests may involve an investment of time and/or money on the requestor's part, it is recommended that you first utilize the print and electronic resources available in the HPU Libraries. Please consult with one of our reference librarians during the course of your research so that we might help you locate resources that may have been overlooked.
The HPU Libraries will look for and utilize free options for ILL requests whenever possible. Unfortunately, there may be times when no free options for an item can be found; in these instances, the average cost is $15.00 - $20.00 per item. (Please note: the online request form enables you to specify the maximum amount you are willing to spend for each of your ILL items.)
Because of our location in the middle of the Pacific, journal articles can take 1 – 2 weeks to arrive (if not sent via e-mail), while books can take 2 – 4 weeks to arrive. Please plan ahead and allow yourself enough time for requests to be received.
Users are responsible for picking up ILL materials. Library staff will notify users when requests arrive; however, if an item has not been picked up by the due date, it will be returned to the lending institution.
Users are responsible for paying all ILL lending fees that may accompany items they have requested (regardless if materials are picked up or not). Please refer to our Interlibrary Loan Policy for more information.
Please return Interlibrary Loan items on-time (due dates are determined by the lending institution, not by the HPU Libraries). Users with overdue ILL items on their records will not have any additional ILL requests processed by the HPU Libraries until the items are returned. (Please remember that ILL items are the property of other libraries; they do not belong to HPU. Overdue items damage the University's credibility as a borrower in lending circles and may prevent HPU from being able to obtain future ILL items.)
Quick FAQs:
How do I place an Interlibrary Loan or Document Delivery request?
Please use the links above to access the online request forms. Paper request forms are also available at either the Access Services or Reference Desks at Meader and Atherton Libraries. Completed forms can be dropped off at the Access Services Desk of either Library.
How long will it take to fill a request?
Turnaround time in borrowing or obtaining materials can take 1 – 2 weeks for articles (if they are not sent via e-mail) and 2 – 4 weeks for books. Factors affecting delivery time include: the location of the lending institution and the availability of the requested material, workloads both here and at the lending libraries, and the delivery service used. Please be sure to give yourself adequate time to receive requests.
Is there a charge for Interlibrary Loan service?
While many lending libraries do assess a charge for items loaned or shared via Interlibrary Loan, in many other instances items may be obtained at no cost. In the event no free options can be found, the average cost to fill a request is typically $15.00 to $20.00 per item. The ILL request form allows you to specify the maximum amount you are willing to pay for an item; the HPU Libraries will not order from any institution charging more than that amount.
Are there restrictions?
Some materials may not be available through Interlibrary Loan. These can include: audiovisual materials and items that are fragile, oversized, or in a library's special collections.
Copyright Limits:
The HPU Libraries comply with the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code), which governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. As part of copyright law, the Libraries are restricted from obtaining more than five (5) articles from a particular journal per calendar year. By submitting Interlibrary Loan requests, you acknowledge your compliance with "fair use practices" in regards to copyright limits.
*By submitting any ILL request, you acknowledge and agree to all terms and conditions of the Libraries' Interlibrary Loan Policy.
