Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Most items can be requested directly from the item's record in TOPCAT. Some databases will include links to TOPCAT records for items that can be requested, but these records can also be accessed through a TOPCAT search using the "Everything" search scope.

If the item cannot be found in TOPCAT, requests can be made by manually filling out the Article Request or Physical Item Request form. 

• PDFs of articles and book chapters are typically received within a few business days.
• Physical items are typically received within a week from nearby institutions and within two weeks from institutions out of state, though this is highly dependent on response times from lending institutions and the speed of shipping via USPS book mail.
• We are unable to guarantee receipt of physical or digital materials by any particular date regardless of the lending institution.

• PDFs of articles and book chapters are sent via email as a temporary link with a password that will expire after five uses. We recommend patrons download the PDF to their device the first time they open the link.
• Physical items will be held at the Library Help Desk for 10 days. Patrons will receive emails from SWITCH Libraries when their items are first received as well as multiple reminder emails over the 10 days that their items are on the hold shelf. If you cannot pick up your item within 10 days, please reach out to the librarians at library@alverno.edu.
• Physical items belonging to other institutions can be returned to the library's book drops.

• Items borrowed through ILL are subject to the circulation policies of the lending institution, including loan periods.
• Although Alverno College Library does not charge overdue fines on many items, ILL items are subject to the fines and fees in place at the lending institution, including lost/damaged item fees. It is the patron’s responsibility to return ILL items on time and any fines and fees accrued will be charged to the patron’s account and are non-negotiable.
• Excessive ILL charges will result in a hold placed on an Alverno student's account that will prevent them from enrolling in classes and applying for graduation. If an ILL item is lost, damaged, or unable to be returned on time, the patron is encouraged to contact the ILL Librarian, Sebastian Black, at sebastian.black@alverno.edu.
• Materials obtained via ILL may typically only be renewed once, but renewals are at the discretion of the lending institution and patrons must request renewals before the due date to allow the lending institution time to grant or reject the renewal request.