Interlibrary Loans

An Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a request sent to another library to borrow books or other materials unavailable at McQuade Library.

If you cannot find the materials you need at McQuade or in the Library's electronic databases, you can make an interlibrary loan request for these materials. Arrangements will be made to have the items sent to McQuade Library for your use at no additional cost.

Use the tabs on the left to learn more information about ILLs and to make ILL requests.

Search our Journal Finder to determine if McQuade Library has access to a particular journal, newspaper or magazine in electronic full-text or print.

Types of Interlibrary Loans

• There are two types of Interlibrary loans: NOBLE loans and OCLC loans.
• Any registered library user may place requests for NOBLE loans.
• Note: Only current Merrimack College students, faculty, staff, and faculty emeriti may place requests for OCLC loans.
   

Types of Material Available

• The individual lending library determines what materials can be loaned.  
• Typical ILL materials are books and articles.
• When you request an item, staff will make every effort to locate a library that is willing to lend the resource.  
• If no library is willing to lend the requested item, you will be notified.
   

Textbooks

• Unfortunately, the library cannot facilitate interlibrary loan requests for textbooks for these reasons:
  • Very few libraries own the latest editions of textbooks since they are updated so frequently.
  • Items cannot be checked out for the entire semester.
• Please email circ@merrimack.edu with any questions concerning this policy.
   

Charges and the Use of Interlibrary Loan Materials

• McQuade Library does not charge users for NOBLE or OCLC loan services.
   

Processing Time

• Staff process most requests the same day and almost always within 24 hours with the exception of holidays.
• While most requested items arrive within a 3-5 business days, ILL users are asked to allow up to two weeks for borrowed materials to arrive.
• Most materials are received via U.S. mail, regional delivery, fax, or email however, keep in mind that McQuade Library has no control over when materials arrive.
   

Notification of Arrival of Materials

• ILL users will be contacted (using the email on the original ILL request form) when the material has arrived.
• Books must be picked up at the library and must be checked out on the circulation system.
• Books will be held at the Help Desk for one week. If they are not checked out in that period they will be returned to the original lending library.
• Members of the Merrimack College community who live or work on campus may have their article requests sent to them via campus mail. A delivery preference may be indicated on the ILL request form.
   

Returning Materials and Renewal Requests

• All borrowed materials should be returned to the Circulation Desk. Please leave the ILL bookstrap or identification band on the book.
• If you need to renew and item please notify Circulation staff before the original due date. Renewals are not guaranteed as they are given at the discretion of the lending library.
• Repeated disregard of lending library due dates by ILL users will result in the loss of ILL service until all materials have been returned or paid for.