Interlibray Loan (ILL) is a service that provides current Westfield State University students, faculty, and staff with access to materials not currently owned by Ely Library.
The ILL Department is located in the Access Services area on the first floor of Ely Library.
ILL Coordinator: Suzanne Tiranno
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-3:30pm
Phone: 413-572-5655
Email: ill@westfield.ma.edu OR stiranno@westfield.ma.edu
There are two ways to submit an ILL Request:
1) Fill out an online request form:
2) Items can be requested directly from the library’s online catalog, by clicking on “Request Item Through Interlibrary Loan”. An example of what that button looks like is included below:
When you see this button on an item in our catalog, select it to be automatically directed to our online form.
What materials are easiest to borrow?
Books, Audiovisual materials (DVD, CDs, Audiobooks), PDF files of journal, newspaper, or magazine articles.
What materials are harder, but still possible to borrow?
Dissertations, musical scores, textbooks.
What materials are either not available or most difficult to borrow?
E-books, rare book items, archival materials, reference books, complete volumes of periodicals, oversized items, special collections items.
When will my request arrive?
On average, an ILL item will arrive within 7-10 days. PDF files often arrive within 2-3 days. We always try to borrow materials from libraries nearby, so often materials will arrive sooner. Sometimes we have to make requests from several libraries before finding a library that can/will loan an item. This is why some requests take longer than others.
How will I know when my request is ready?
You will receive an email from the ILL department when your request is available for pick up. ILL items are held at the Circulation desk in Ely Library.
How long can I keep an item?
ILL due dates are set by the lending library. In general, loan periods range from 2-4 weeks, with some libraries loaning for longer periods. Most libraries will renew an item, but the renewal request must be made directly to the ILL department and must be made prior to the due date.
How do I renew an ILL item?
Renewals must be submitted directly to the ILL department and must be made prior to the original due date. Renewal requests can be submitted by email: stiranno@westfield.ma.edu or by phone: 413-572-5655. You will receive a notice with a new due date as soon as the lending library approves the renewal. When the lending library denies a renewal request, the item is due back by the original due date.
Can I keep an item for a full semester?
Assume the answer is no.
Are there charges or overdue fines?
There is no charge to use ILL services. Items not returned within 30 days past the due date will be considered lost, and a replacement charge plus a nonnegotiable processing fee will be added to you student bill. You are financially responsible for the replacement charge for any lost or damaged ILL items once you pick up your requests from the Circulation desk.
How many ILL requests can I submit at once?
We don't have a limit to how many requests can be made at once; however, during particularly busy times of the semester large quantities of requests from the same patron may be spaced out.
