General Information
Interlibrary loan (abbreviated ILL) is a service whereby a user of one library can borrow books or receive photocopies of documents that are owned by another library. This service is used if UMD library or the U of M Library system does not own the material needed for the user's research. The user makes a request via ILLiad through UMD Library, which, acting as an intermediary, identifies owners of the desired item, places the request, receives the item, makes it available to the user, and arranges for its return. The lending library sets the due date and overdue fees of the material borrowed.
Although books and journal articles are the most frequently requested items, some libraries will lend audio recordings, video recordings, maps, sheet music, and microforms of all kinds. In many cases, fees accompany interlibrary loan services which are paid for by UMD library to a limit of $30.00 per transaction.
Receiving Articles Electronically:
- Login to your ILLiad account
- Under "VIEW", click "Electronically Received Articles"
- After this, click on View
Locating Materials Owned by the UMD Library:
- Search the Library Catalog
- Search the E-Journal Locator
- Ask for assistance from a Reference Librarian
Costs:
- The UMD Library absorbs costs up to $30 per item for materials you request.
Request via WorldCat
You can look up and request materials from other libraries in the WorldCat database.
Using WorldCat to Request:
- Choose WorldCat from the list of UMD Library databases
- Search for materials by title, keyword, author, etc.
- Identify an item you would like to request.
- Look for this icon
to see if it’s owned by UMD. - If the UMD icon is showing, look the item up in the Library Catalog.
- If the item is not owned by UMD, make an Interlibrary Request.
- Click the ILL button
at the top of the page. - Fill out the online form and click “Submit.”
What is MINITEX?
The MINITEX Library Information Network (MINITEX) is a publicly supported network of academic, public, state government, and special libraries working cooperatively to improve library service for their users in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. There is reciprocity with Wisconsin libraries.
The MINITEX program is funded by the Minnesota Legislature through the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to serve Minnesota academic and state government libraries. MINITEX is a joint program of the Office of Higher Education and the University of Minnesota. The Minnesota State Library Services (the Minnesota state library agency), a unit of the Minnesota Department of Education, provides additional funding to support services for Minnesota libraries and library users.
Libraries in North Dakota and South Dakota participate in MINITEX programs through contracts between the MINITEX Office and the North and South Dakota State Libraries.
MINITEX programs are coordinated by the MINITEX staff located at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Libraries, which fills the majority of requests sent to the MINITEX office.
Tips
Tips for expediting your request
Seek help from Reference Services to clearly identify what you need.
The fastest way for you to obtain your material may be to utilize a local library:
Complete and correct citation information helps us to locate your requested material.
Please double check:
- Correct spelling of author, title, etc.
- Correct title
- Volume numbers and dates
- Source of citation
Cancel Date
The "cancel date" tells us how long to look for materials. This date affects how many libraries we ask to fill your request. If you have a firm deadline, please supply a cancel date.
Rush Service
Rush Service is available on a limited basis; call 726-6628 or e-mail umdill@d.umn.edu
University of Minnesota Campuses