Interlibrary Loan (ILL): @Nelson

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a program that allows the library to borrow resources for you that we do not already own. We ask libraries who do own the resource if we may borrow it, they send it to us, and we let you use it. 

• Print books
• PDF scans of a chapter from a print book
• Single chapters from an eBook
• Articles from journals, newspapers, or magazines

You can request an ILL using the button on this page, the "Interlibrary Loan Request Form" link on various library pages, from Nelson Discovery search results, from database search results, or by emailing library@nelson.edu. 

Physical Books

Physical books requested through ILL will generally take anywhere from 4 to 7 business days to arrive; please remember that this is just an estimate. Some books may take longer to come in based on rarity, age, or any other number of factors.

You will receive an email notification when your requested item has arrived and is available for pickup. ILL books not picked up after seven (7) days will be returned to the lending library. 

Articles from a Journal or Chapters from a Book

Article requests may include articles from a periodical (either online or physical), a chapter from a physical book, or a chapter from an eBook.

Articles generally arrive via email in 2 to 4 business days; please remember that this is just an estimate based on the rarity and age of the article, among other, similar factors.

You will receive an email notification when your requested article or chapter becomes available. 

Your article will either be delivered to you either as a PDF email attachment or be available for download from an emailed link. Download links are valid for 30 days or up to 5 uses, whichever comes first; make sure you download articles to your primary device promptly to avoid losing access to them. 

Nelson University students may utilize Interlibrary Loan to obtain resources to which Nelson does not already have access. Students are limited to four (4) ILL books at a time. There is no limit to the number of simultaneous article requests one may place. Students are responsible for returning physical items to the Library in a timely manner (by the posted Due Date) and will be billed for any lost/not returned items and blocked from obtaining physical items through ILL in the future.

ILL Limits:

• eBooks: Due to licensing, the library is unable to obtain whole eBooks through ILL, though we can frequently obtain an individual chapter through ILL.
• Distance: Students living outside of driving range of the Waxahachie campus are encouraged to work through their local public library to obtain physical books through ILL.
• Textbooks: Because ILL checkout lengths vary depending on the lending library, the library is unable to guarantee access to textbooks for an entire semester. Therefore, the library does not knowingly request textbooks through ILL.
• Media: Media materials such as videos, music, or audio books cannot be obtained through ILL. Requests for such material will be discarded.
• Digital media: Digital materials such as videos, music, or audiobooks may not be obtained through ILL. Requests for such materials will be discarded.

Checkout lengths/due dates for physical items vary depending on the lending library's policies. Patrons may request a maximum of one (1) extension/renewal per book.

Physical items (books) cannot be sent to Online/Distance Education students living outside of driving distance from a Nelson University campus. Copies/scans of an individual chapter or specific pages from physical books can be sent to Online students, however. these students are encouraged to work with their local public library to obtain physical items through ILL.

ILL books that arrive in the library will be available for pickup for one week after arrival. Any books not picked up in that week will be promptly returned to the owning libraries. If pickup within one week is not possible, please contact the library to discuss the situation; the book may be picked up later at the librarian's discretion.

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of copies or other reproduction of copyrighted material. If a user makes a request for, or later uses a copy or reproduction for purposes in excess of fair use, that user may be liable for copyright infringement. We reserve the right to refuse a request if, in our judgment, fulfillment of the order involves violation of copyright law.

Nelson University staff are encouraged to let a library staff member know if more than four (4) books are needed at a time. 

Nelson University faculty have no limit on the number of ILL books requested at one time, though faculty are encouraged not to exceed four (4) ILL books at any given time.

Due to copyright restraints, materials obtained through ILL cannot be placed in course reserves (print or digital).