The Interlibrary Loan Office is open 8am - 5pm, Monday through Friday. For more information please contact Interlibrary Loan at 303.871.3150, or via email at ill_dept@du.edu.

Lending Policies for Libraries and Institutions (click here)

What is Interlibrary Loan?
Interlibrary Loan obtains materials unavailable at Penrose by borrowing from other library collections. We can also borrow copies of books that are currently in use by another Penrose patron.

Try Prospector for faster delivery before you make an ILL request. Make an ILL Request

Who can use Interlibrary Loan?
Current students, staff, and faculty of the University of Denver are eligible to use Interlibrary Loan. Alumni may also request material through Interlibrary Loan. (Law students must use the DU Law Interlibrary Loan office.)

How do I use Interlibrary Loan?

• Please check Peak or ask a Reference librarian to be sure we do not have the item(s) you need. After checking Peak, you may want to try Prospector for faster delivery of books. Prospector is a self-service, rapid delivery borrowing service.
• Request material through Interlibrary Loan if it is unavailable from Penrose Library or Prospector. For assistance identifying appropriate resources for research, contact a reference librarian. Use ILL to request items for which you have citations. Follow the instructions on the First Time Users Page to register. Follow the instructions to submit requests. If you prefer not to place your requests electronically, there are paper forms inside the office.
  

How long will my material take to arrive?
Photocopies usually arrive within seven to ten working days, but loaned material may take longer. Delivery depends on which institution owns the item and their lending policies. When your material arrives, you will be notified by phone or email - please indicate on the form how you prefer to be notified. You can check the status of your material through ILL, or you can call the ILL office at 303.871.3150.

Where do I pick up my Interlibrary Loan material?
Your books and other returnables will be placed on the ILL shelf at Circulation. You will need your DU ID card to pick up material. Articles will be delivered electronically. You will receive an email with instructions on how to retrieve your articles. If the lending library specifies that the material is Library Use Only, you will need to pick it up from and return it to the ILL office between 8am - 5pm, Monday thru Friday.

Where do I return my Interlibrary Loan material?
Return material to the ILL office book drop when the library is open. Return material to the book drop outside the library when Penrose is closed.

What if I need the material longer than the loan period?
Some libraries allow renewals. You can place a renewal request through ILL. If you are using paper forms, you will need to contact us, and then check back in a few days for the new due date.

Can I be fined for overdue material?
It is important to maintain good working relationships with libraries that loan to us – borrowing privileges can be revoked if libraries do not return materials on time. Currently we do not fine individuals for overdue Interlibrary Loan materials. However, overdue items may result in a loss of an individual’s Interlibrary Loan borrowing privileges. Charges for lost ILL material are determined by the lending library, and can exceed $100.00.