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Interlibrary Loan


Use Interlibrary Loan to request items not available from the Berntsen Library

Interlibrary Loan Services

Interlibrary Loan is a service available to Northwestern students, faculty and staff. This service locates materials available from lenders across the country.  If you aren't able to find the physical items or articles you need from any of our 60+ partners in Library Search you can use the blank form available to tell us what you're looking for and we'll take it from there.  

 

Start with searching Library Search thoroughly; then if you can't find it take the next step

  • ProTip! Make sure you're signed in with your myUNW account 
  • For articles you want but you can't access electronically from Library Search - use the request option. 

  • For physical items you can't find at all in Library Search - click on the "Interlibrary Loan Request" button in the purple menu bar up top. 

 

If you're not feeling confident in how to tackle this - talk to us.  We definitely want to help you get the materials you need as quickly as possible. Our librarians and student staff are willing to help you through the process. 

 

How Materials Are Handled

Once you've placed a request here's what you can expect:

 

Articles:

  • All articles are delivered directly to your UNWSP email

  • Usually takes less than 2 days.
     

Physical items:

Delivery times vary depending on where the lending library is. Most local/regional items are available within a few days. Items coming from beyond MN partner libraries could take up to 10 days to arrive. 
 

Regarding loan periods and renewals for all non-UNW materials: 

Loan Periods and Renewals are established by the lending library. They set the loan time and they can choose to approve or reject a request for renewal. 
 

All local users are welcome to use our locker service. 

  • Faculty Staff & On Campus Students: pickup items at the circulation desk or use the locker service

  • On Campus Focus/Grad Students: it is recommended that you pick up your items at the circulation desk. Considering the length of your class schedule and average shipping times mailing items is often not a timely way of getting materials.

  • Distance Students:

    If you live within 20 miles of campus, we do ask that you come and pick up materials.    
    Pick Up Required - Radius Map
    Students outside that radius can ask for materials to be mailed.