Interlibrary Loan
If your materials are checked out to another person or not owned by Northwestern, you may be able to borrow them from another library. Interlibrary loan (ILL) materials can be picked up and returned to the circulation desks and book drops.
You can see the status of open requests in your account.
First-time users will be prompted to create an account. Feinberg community members should select "Galter Health Sciences Library" as their primary library. Students from School of Professional Studies programs should select "Main Library".
Details
- Cost: free
- Eligible patrons: Current Feinberg faculty, students and staff
- Loan periods: Set by lending library; often 16 weeks or more
- Turnaround time: Articles- 2-7 business days; Books- 6-10 business days
If you believe you should have access but don't fall into these categories, contact us.
Information for Institutions
We provide access to our circulating collections through interlibrary loan (ILL) for patrons at other organizations. Requests must be submitted via DOCLINE, OCLC, or an ALA ILL request form in compliance with sections 4.4, 4.8 and 4.14 of the U.S. Interlibrary Loan Code.
Fees for Non-Reciprocal Institutions:
- $11.00 per item via EFTS
- $15.00 per item via IFM or printed invoice (DOCLINE requests)
- $20.00 per item for non-IFM OCLC requests and ALA form requests
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I see all my older requests?
We periodically purge older records but retain requests for several years to comply with copyright law record-keeping requirements.
How long can I keep an ILL book?
Each lending library sets its own due date, typically at least 4 weeks from when the item is sent to NU.
Are there restrictions on ILL items?
Lending libraries may impose restrictions such as "no renewals" or "library use only." These will be noted on the item and must be strictly followed.
How do I renew an ILL book?
If the lender permits renewals, you can request one yourself or have us do it for you.
- Self-service renewal: Log into your ILL account, click the transaction number under "Checked Out Items," then select "Renew Request" in the upper-left corner.
- Staff-assisted renewal: Contact us by email or phone, and we'll submit the request on your behalf.
The lending library will approve or deny the request, and we'll notify you of the outcome by email.
What about copyright?
We provide electronic copies (usually PDFs) whenever possible. In some cases, due to lender restrictions, size, or quality concerns, we'll provide paper copies.
Copyright restrictions may apply to articles and electronic documents obtained through ILL. Under Title 17 of the United States Code, photocopies and reproductions provided by libraries are intended for "private study, scholarship, or research" only. Users who exceed "fair use" may be liable for copyright infringement. We reserve the right to refuse copying orders that would violate copyright law.