LibGuides: Interlibrary Loan: Home

Interlibrary Loan at the TCC Library

👉 PLACE A REQUEST / ACCESS YOUR LIBRARY ACCOUNT AT THIS LINK

Definition: An interlibrary loan (ILL) is a transaction in which library material, or a copy of the material, is made available by one library or institution to another upon request.

Purpose: The purpose of ILL is to obtain materials not available in the TCC collection for TCC Library patrons. ILL also lends circulating materials from the TCC Library to other institutions and libraries.

Conditions of Service: The conditions of this service are set by the 1994 Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States and special agreements with other libraries. Reciprocal borrowing agreements are observed and all United States Copyright laws are adhered to. Current year’s books and media items are lent at the discretion of campus Librarians. Interlibrary loan was codified in the 1976 Act 17. U.S.C. § 108 — Limitations on exclusive rights: Reproduction by libraries and archives.

My ILL Account: All TCC students, faculty and staff have a personal user portal where they can track, renew and manage requests. To login, patrons must use a College-wide ID number (T#) and password. All ILL requests must be placed through this system. Retirees who still have an active T# and password can place ILL requests but all others please contact the Access Services Librarian. See below on ways to submit ILL requests.

Interlibrary Loan How-to Video

Important Information for ILL Patrons

By submitting a request through ILL you acknowledge and agree to all of the terms and conditions listed below.

COPYRIGHT LAW & INTERLIBRARY LOAN

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research". If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use", that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

TCC LIBRARY ILL GUIDELINES

Library patrons checking out material borrowed from other institutions are responsible for returning the material to the library no later than the established due date. Failure to return an item by the due date may result in fines or fees, including the lending institution's replacement charge for the item. If an item is extremely overdue and a replacement fee has been paid by the TCC Library to the lending institution, the library patron will be billed an automatic $30 processing fee on top of the replacement cost for the item. Patron accounts will be temporarily blocked when items become extremely overdue. Blocks will be removed as soon as items are returned in good condition. At the discretion of the Library Dean, Interlibrary Loan service will be suspended for those who abuse the privilege and a block may be put on the TCC student’s account.

More ILL guidelines can be viewed on the TCC Library's Mission & Policy page.

ILL Basics:

What can be requested through ILL?

Most anything that a library would typically lend: books, articles, dissertations, etc. Conversely, libraries might not loan what most libraries keep close on hand such as textbooks, reference books, DVDs, entire journal volumes or issues, rare or expensive materials, and some media items that are restricted by license (like ebooks). We will attempt to request these items, but cannot guarantee to find a library willing to lend.

What cannot be requested through ILL?

We highly recommend patrons do not request current textbooks or popular books that have been published within the last 6 months. They are almost never available through ILL. See this link if your request is cancelled. If you would like a newly-published title that is not in the TCC Library collection, you can submit a request using our Suggest a Resource form.

The TCC Library cannot always fill requests for new and popular films through ILL for student checkout either, as most libraries are unwilling to lend their in-demand items. The Tulsa City-County Library might have these items available in their circulating collection. They are not a library we can currently borrow from on your behalf. All TCC students can access the Tulsa City-County Library with a current library card. Visit their site to apply for one.

How long does it take?

Receiving your ILL item varies depending on the availability of the item requested, where it is shipping from, and its format. Articles/copy requests arrive, on average, within 2-3 days and are typically sent electronically (you will be notified via email when it is available); books within 1-2 weeks and are sent via mail. Please note these times are estimates. Holidays and school closings may add additional time. See this link for more info.

Is there a charge for ILL?

No, not at TCC for our library users. ILL is a free service for all TCC students, faculty, and staff. However, if ILL materials are not returned on time patrons will be subject to fines and fees as described in the TCC Library Policy.

How long can I keep ILL materials?

ILL due dates are set by the lending institution and usually vary from two weeks to three months. Items can be renewed at the discretion of the lending institution. To request a renewal of your ILL item, please see this link. Requesting a renewal is different from renewing a TCC Library item.

Why was my ILL request canceled?

ILL requests can be canceled for a variety of reasons. The most common is that no library or institution is able to lend TCC the materials that have been requested. If an item is very new, very old, very rare, or in high demand it can be difficult to provide through ILL. See this link for more info.

What is Document Delivery?

Sometimes the ILL Office receives requests from patrons for items that are actually owned by the TCC Library or available free through open access sources. When this happens, the request will be filled through a process known as Document Delivery. It provides the requested item to the patron, without having to borrow it from an outside library. If a request is placed for an item owned by the TCC Library, the ILL Office will notify the patron and place a circulation hold on the item for them or will direct the user to where they can access a digital copy.

How do I renew my ILL item? Or, why can I not renew my ILL?

You can request a renewal under your user portal/online Library Account. Get there by going to the library homepage and clicking "My Library Account" under the Discovery Catalog Search bar. If your renewal request is denied, please see this link.

Still have questions?

Please search our Interlibrary Loan FAQ or use the contact options on this page.