You may request books, DVDs and other media, government publications, conference papers, theses and dissertations through ILL. You cannot borrow films or software through interlibrary loan as Minnesota State, Mankato does not lend these materials to other libraries. Libraries seldom lend rare, fragile, or unique items that would be difficult or impossible to replace.
You may request articles from journals and magazines through ILL. Libraries usually scan or copy articles rather than lend whole issues of periodicals.
For all Inter Library Loan Requests: You must log in with your library barcode (on the back of your MavCard) and password (your last name) to make an ILL request.
For fastest service, submit your request directly from WorldCat or any of the article databases.
To request a book, thesis, DVD or other item - Search WorldCat, found in the Library's database list. If the record indicates that Minnesota State, Mankato owns the title, follow the link into the MSU catalog. If it is not owned by MSU, use the "get article or book" button to populate an interlibrary loan request form.
To request a journal or magazine article - Search the Library's article databases, locate an item you want and use the "get article or book" button to check if Minnesota State, Mankato owns the issue needed. If not, then follow the Request Interlibrary Loan link to populate an ILL form.
If necessary, you can log into your library account to complete a blank ILL request form for a book or journal article. However, it will take longer to process your request because staff must review it to verify that the citation information is correct and that the item is not owned by Minnesota State, Mankato.
Average turn-around-time, from submission to receipt of the item for articles is 4 days. Average turn-around-time for books is 8 days. These are average times only and may vary a good deal. Most requests are filled in 1-3 weeks.
ILL will attempt to fill your request until your "not needed after" date has passed, so give us as much time as you have available.
All interlibrary loan notices will be sent to your campus email account, so be sure to check your MavMail on a regular basis. Also, you can check the status of your requests by going to the library homepage and logging into My Library Account.
Receiving periodical articles
Most interlibrary loan requests for articles are filled electronically and posted to a website. You will receive an email notice explaining how to retrieve an article. You have 7 days and 5 viewings to copy or save your article from the website. If a lending library sends your article in paper format, we will mail the article to you, so please keep us up-to-date regarding your current address!
Receiving books, videos, and other "returnables"
ILL books, DVDs, and other loaned items can be picked up at Library Circulation on first floor. You will receive an email notice when interlibrary loaned items are available to pick up.
Delivery for faculty and staff
ILL books and other returnables are sent to your campus address unless you indicate that you wish to pick them up at Library Circulation. Most articles are posted to a website (see "Receiving periodical articles", above).
Interlibrary loan is intended for short term use of library resources. Lending libraries determine the loan periods for the items you request. Loans typically vary from one to four weeks. Find your due date on the bookmark included with the item you borrowed or check My Library Account.
Renewal decisions for ILL items are made by the lending libraries, not MSU.
To request renewals for ILLs, go to the library homepage and log into My Library Accounts. Select ILL active requests, select the item number, and select renew. If the item is already overdue, you must contact the ILL office to make a renewal request.
Check My Library Account daily for the lending library's decision. If the status of the loan does not change within a week, contack ILL staff.
Return ILL materials at Library Circulation or the ILL office on first floor. Do not return interlibrary loans in the Library book drops!
Please provide a complete and accurate citation for each item that you request.
You are responsible for the care and prompt return of borrowed materials. You will be billed for lost, damaged, or overdue materials. Do not allow others to use your Mavcard to borrow library materials.
Number of active requests is limited to 50 for all patrons.
You can request articles beyond these limits after they have been posted to a website. Books and other items must be returned to the lending library before you can make requests beyond the limits. Requests for increased limits may be granted, based on need.
Memorial Library absorbs the cost of obtaining materials through interlibrary loan, except in rare cases when the supplier requires prepayment.
You can check the status of your ILL requests by logging into My Library Account.
What does this status code mean?
Occasionally, ILL cannot fill your request because we are unable to identify a lending library or document supplier for the item you requested. You will be notified about any request that cannot be filled.
If you are a student who lives 30 miles or more from campus or a professor on sabbatical, you can have MSU books and interlibrary loan books sent to you. Also, you can have articles from MSU or other libraries’ collections posted to a website. Click on Document Delivery for more information about this service.
You can contact the ILL Office at (507) 389-1473 or 389-5959, or the Reference Desk at (507) 389-5958 when you have questions about Interlibrary Loan.
Are you contacting us from another library? Check out the Minnesota State, Mankato Interlibrary loan policies and procedures for other libraries.
The ILL office hours during the academic year are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Summer hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
