Stephens Library

Interlibrary Loan

Particular books, articles, and videos that are not immediately available at the library can be requested through Interlibrary Loan. Log in and fill out the appropriate form (article, book or dissertation, video).

• Interlibrary Loan

Please note that before making a book request, check the MOBIUS Catalog. If available, you can request these books directly through the catalog. Books usually arrive within three working days.

Also, before making an article request, try the Stephens Library Quick Search. Any desired articles that are not immediately available can be more easily requested by using the "Request It” feature from within Quick Search.

How long will it take?

After making a request…

• Articles usually take 1 to 3 days to arrive. When available we will send you an email with a link and password so that you can download the article.

• MOBIUS requests usually take three to five working days.

What about textbooks?

It’s the library’s policy to not purchase course textbooks. The are many reasons: (1) textbooks change editions frequently and thus become outdated very quickly; (2) only one student can use them at a time; (3) they can be very expensive and eat up funds that can be used in other ways.

However, you can certainly check to see if the Stephens catalog or MOBIUS catalog has available a textbook that you need.

About interlibrary loan

Interlibrary loan (“ILL”) is a library service that will try to obtain specific books and articles requested by students, faculty, and staff that are not immediately available at the library or through the library’s databases. Library staff process requests and usually decide to ask other libraries if they can provide the materials. This is done using specialized ILL software whereby a “lender string” is created from a list of libraries likely to have what is needed. Each library is asked in turn if they can provide the item or not until one finally agrees to provide it. Books are generally mailed through the USPS and articles are sent digitally.

Conversely, the Stephens Library participates in providing books and articles to other libraries who request them from us.