Inter-Library Loan Services

Inter-library loan (abbreviated ILL, and sometimes called interloan, interlending, document delivery, or document supply) is a service whereby a patron of one library can borrow books, DVDs, music, etc. and/or receive photocopies of documents that are owned by another library.

​

One primary need for this services will be that the library may not have the material requested for, by a patron of one library and thus help is sought from another library to have where the material may be available.

​

Collaborations of libraries for this service is usually based on the relations between the libraries, such as campus or branch libraries.

​

Inter-Library loaning however, has seen a reduction in patronage due primarily to the advent of electronic books and subscription to electronic journals.  Also, researchers can liaise with the librarian (such as in UEAB's research assistant service) to have just parts of a resource sent them on the topic they may be investigating into.