BEFORE you place a request
- Check the FLO Catalog to see if the item is available at one of the Lesley University libraries.
- Check the Journals List to see if an article is available full-text online from one of the databases to which the Lesley University Library subscribe.
Illiad Request Forms
- Logon to Illiad for request forms
Important: All required fields on the forms must be completed as thoroughly as possible. If you would like assistance filling out a form, please call (617.349.8838), email the Interlibrary Loan Office, or contact a reference librarian.
Plan ahead to allow for the time it will take to receive the materials requested. If you are in a hurry, a reference librarian or staff in the Interlibrary Loan Office can help you find the material at a nearby library or find comparable sources available at the Lesley University Libraries.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and who can use it?
ILL is a service that allows users to request that books, journal articles, dissertations or non-print media not available at the university libraries be borrowed from other libraries. This service is provided to current members of the Lesley University community – administrators, faculty, staff and students.
How can I request items?
- Check the FLO catalog to see if the book is available at either of the Lesley University Library or from another library in our consortium. [Click here to learn more about FLO].
- Check the Journals List to see if an article is available fulltext online.
- The Massachusetts Virtual Catalog allows Lesley University patrons to search the catalogs of academic and public libraries within MA and to place their own requests for books, audio and video items. [Click here to get more information about using the Virtual Catalog] This method is often faster than traditional ILL.
- Lesley University library use a system called ILLiad for Interlibrary Loan requests. First time users will be asked to register for the service by providing contact information, their Lesley University I.D. number and indicating which of the university libraries they prefer as a pick up location.
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What items can be requested?
- Items not owned by the Lesley University Libraries.
- Items owned by the Lesley University Libraries that are declared “Lost” or “Missing”
- Dissertations/theses from other universities
- Audio and video titles (through the Virtual Catalog or ILL only, NOT FLO)
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What items can't be requested?
- Items that are charged out to another patron
- Entire issues or volumes of journals
- Items from the Reference or Reserve collections. Sometimes these items can be requested from other libraries in FLO
- Certain items are more difficult to borrow because many libraries do not lend audiovisual materials, rare books, reference books, or textbooks. If you would like to attempt to obtain these items, please request them early in your research process to allow more time
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How many items can I request?
- To ensure that all requesters have an equal opportunity to have their requests processed during periods of heavy load, the library guarantees to process everyone's first five requests and then all additional requests in turn until all requests are processed.
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How long will it take to get the item?
If it is coming through FLO, usually within 5 business days.
If it is coming through the Virtual Catalog, usually within 2 weeks.
Interlibrary Loan - The amount of time varies widely, from 3 days to 2 weeks or more. Each ILL request is sent to a string of up to 5 lending institutions. Each institution has up to 4 business days to respond (weekends and holidays excluded) to the request. A request could therefore take up to 31 calendar days to move through an entire string.
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How will I receive and return the item?
Articles and chapters will be available in your ILLiad account when they have been received.
Items other than articles and chapters must be picked up at Sherrill or AIB Library. We will contact you via email when the requested item arrives. Items must be picked up and returned to that library by the due date.
Some rare books, research materials and all microfilm/fiche must be used in the library. Sometimes, it is permissible to make copies of the material to keep. You will be contacted when the item arrives in the library.
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Can I renew the item?
FLO items - Renewals vary depending on the policy of each FLO library. Please log on to your FLO library account to request a renewal. If your renewal does not go through and you would like further clarification, please contact the Circulation Desk, libcirc@lesley.edu or 617.349.8850. For the AIB Circulation Desk call 617.585.6670 or email aibcirc@lesley.edu. Overdue fines will accrue on overdue items and are set by the owning library.
Virtual Catalog items are not renewable.
Interlibrary Loan - RENEWALS MUST BE REQUESTED BEFORE THE DUE DATE. Renewals vary depending on the policy of each lending library. In order to renew an item, log on to your ILLiad account . Some libraries renew for a short period of time and some will not allow renewals. Be prepared to return the item right away if a renewal is not granted. Overdue fines also accrue on Interlibrary Loan Materials, $0.10 per day/book.
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Contact Information for Other ILL Questions