Catalog        ALADIN        Site Index        Ask A Librarian

Interlibrary Loan Frequently Asked Questions

1. When do I use CLS?
CLS stands for the Consortium Loan Service. It is a way to get books and articles quickly from a group of local libraries. This service is used when either Gelman Library does not own the item you are seeking and one of the libraries in the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) does, or the Gelman Library System does own a copy but it is not available (checked out, missing or lost).

2. When do I use Interlibrary Loan?

If you cannot find a book or article through Gelman Library or the other libraries listed in the ALADIN catalog, Interlibrary Loan (ILL) obtains materials from libraries anywhere outside the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC). If the item you are seeking is not listed or is not available in the Gelman Library Catalog, ALADIN, then submit a request to ILL.

3. Who can request items?
GW faculty, students, and staff, except those in the Colleges of Law or Medicine are eligible to borrow through Gelman ILL. (Students and faculty in Law and Medicine use interlibrary loan services offered by Jacob Burns Law Library and Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library.)

4. What types of items can I request through ILL

Requests may be submitted for books, articles, dissertations, masters theses, microfilm and microfiche. The library which owns the item makes the decision whether or not to lend it. ILL cannot borrow noncirculating items from Reference or Rare Book collections, but in some cases photocopies of specific pages can be made from these items. Most libraries will not lend audiovisual materials, but in some cases it is possible to borrow them. Some libraries will lend dissertations and other theses; it is all decided on a case-by-case basis by the library that owns the material.

5. What are the hours that ILL is open?

Go to the Gelman Library Hours Page to find the hours the Interlibrary Loan Office is open. Requests can be made via the Interlibrary Loan form 24 hours a day. Books are held at the Gelman Circulation Desk, which is open for longer hours than the ILL Office.

6. How do I submit a request to ILL?
  • You can submit ILL requests:
    • via the ALADIN Interlibrary Loan form
    • from within some ALADIN databases. When you have found a record for the item you want, look for the Find It button or another link to borrow this item from another library. This will take you to your Interlibrary Loan login screen, then to a request form with your citation information already filled in.
7. How many items can I request at a time?

There is no fixed limit. However, during the busy parts of the fall and spring semester, we may limit the number of requests being processed at one time.
8. How long does it take to fill an ILL request?

The time will vary depending on how long it takes the supplying library to process and send the request to Gelman Library. Articles generally take 2-7 days to arrive, and books generally arrive in 5-14 days.
9. How are request items sent to Gelman Library?

Books are sent through the U.S. Mail, UPS, or courier services. Articles are sent through these same means, or via Ariel, an electronic document delivery system.

10. Is there a fee for these services?

For most requests there is not a cost to you . However, if the item can not be obtained for under $25.00, you may be asked to pay the difference.

The Dissertation Express service is $10.00 per dissertation for the first five requests per semester, and $28.50 for each additional dissertation purchased.

11. How will I be notified?

You will be notified via e-mail or telephone when the requested item(s) will be available for pick up from the Gelman Circulation Desk. You can check the status of your request by logging in to the Interlibrary Loan page, then clicking on View Current Requests.
12. How long can I borrow an item?

You can borrow ILL items for periods ranging from 2 weeks to 6 weeks. The time period is determined by the library which supplies the item. Articles are supplied as PDFs or photocopies, and they are almost always yours to keep.
13. How can I renew an item?

Most material obtained through Interlibrary Loan (from libraries outside of the WRLC consortium) may be renewed one time online via myALADIN for two weeks - these items will be specifically designated as Interlibrary Loan materials on your online myAladin account.

14. How do I return a borrowed item?

You can return your item at Gelman at the ILL office, at the Circulation Desk, or in the Book Drops by the Circulation Desk. Please return items with blue ILL sleeve still in place around the cover. This will help us to update your records promptly and accurately. You may also return ILL items at the Eckles Library on the Mt. Vernon Campus or at the Virginia Campus Library.

15. What are the fines for late items?

Overdue items will accrue fines of 25c per day. Patrons with long overdue items may have their GW borrowing privileges blocked until the overdue items are returned and any fines or fees paid.


Interlibrary Loan Home

© 2000 - 2004 The George Washington University
The Melvin Gelman Library
2130 H Street NW
Washington, DC 20052
202-994-6558
Site maintained by Web Development Group
Please send us your questions and comments 		GW Home Page