Interlibrary Loan / Library Express FAQ

What is Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary loan is a service to obtain resources from other libraries when they are not owned by any of the ASU Libraries. These resources include, but are not limited to, journal and magazine articles, books and/or book chapters, newspaper articles, conference proceedings and dissertations. Many interlibrary loan items are received in electronic formats.

Use of interlibrary loan is intended for academic research only and may not be used for requesting textbooks. Interlibrary Loan reserves the right to limit or refuse services as deemed necessary.

What is Library Express?

Library Express is a Tempe Campus service only. The Polytechnic campus, Downtown Phoenix campus and West campus provide similar services. Please contact them directly to learn more.

Library Express provides free on campus delivery of books and articles to all Tempe campus Faculty and Academic Professionals.

Tempe campus faculty, staff, and students may also use the on-campus book pull service.

Tempe campus staff and students may use Library Express’ fee-based service.  Please call to set up an account.

Who is eligible to use Interlibrary Loan/Library Express?

Currently enrolled ASU Students, ASU Faculty or Staff whose campus affiliation is Downtown, Polytechnic, Tempe (excluding the College of Law) and West.

Note for Distance Students: Many interlibrary loan items are received in electronic formats and are accessed online. Paper documents and books need to be picked up at Hayden, West, Polytechnic or Downtown Phoenix campus Libraries. You may consider requesting these items through the Interlibrary Loan service of your local public library instead.

Standard Community Card holders are not eligible to use this service, although an Interlibrary Loan Community Card is available for purchase. If you are not affiliated with ASU, please check with your local library

Can I request the textbooks for my classes through Interlibrary Loan?

No, you cannot request your textbooks for your classes through Interlibrary Loan. Interlibrary Loan is a service that requests books from other libraries for short periods of time and cannot keep books for the length of a semester.

If I am placing requests for a professor, how should I register?

If you are working for a professor, requests for that professor should be submitted in the professor's name, not yours. The name on the account is ultimately the person responsible for borrowed material. This means if you are submitting the professor's requests, you will first need to register with ILLiad in his or her name. If the professor is already registered with ILLiad, you will need to know his/her username and password.
The professor must establish Proxy Privileges for you by downloading and filling out the Proxy Card form which you may bring to any ASU Library Circulation Desk. This will link your record with the professor's record in the ASU Library database.
Note: If you are also doing your own research, you should also register yourself in ILLiad. However, only submit requests under your name for material needed for your own research.

How much does it cost?

There is no charge for most requests. When exceptions occur we will notify you prior to ordering and obtain your agreement to pay.

How long does it take to receive items?

Journal articles average a few days to a week - most are delivered in an electronic format to the patron's desktop.  Books average 1-2 weeks.
Rush service is not available and renewal of materials is rarely granted and only on a case by case basis.

To avoid unnecessary delays in getting your materials – search the ASU Libraries Catalog first.

Every attempt will be made to identify sources that are willing to lend your requested item, but not everything that can be cited is available for Interlibrary Loan.