Request from Another Library

You can borrow a variety of items, including(but not limited to) books, articles, book chapters, theses, dissertations, DVDs, and CDs.



Please note: Standards, required textbooks, and course materials CANNOT be obtained through ILL.

There are two ways to place a request:

Log in to your account, and from the “New Request” section, select the type of request (article, loan, book chapter, etc.). If this is your first login, you will be asked to provide demographical and contact information.

From within WorldCat, other databases, and the FullTextFinder. Look for the ILLiad button or link. The ILLiad form will self-populate with citation information, but double check to make sure the form is complete and accurate.

Standard article requests are filled in an average of three business days. Standard book requests are filled in an average of six business days. Non-standard requests (conference proceedings, technical reports, etc.) may take longer. If you need an item more quickly, change the "not wanted after" date on the request form. Contact the ILL staff to obtain a more accurate estimate of the expected delivery date of a request.

When your item arrives, you will be notified by email.

Books, videos, and other loaned items must be picked up and returned at the Information Desk. Articles and short reports will be uploaded to your ILLiad account for viewing, printing, and downloading. Articles posted to your account will be available for 30 days. To retrieve your articles, follow the link to ILLiad that is embedded in the email notification. To access your PDF, click the "Electronically Received Articles" link in the View menu.

No, there is no limit. However, at peak requesting times, ILL staff reserves the right to limit the number of requests processed to 5 per person, per day to ensure fair and equitable service to all.

Due dates are determined by the library that loaned the material, not by the Gordon Library. Most loans are for 28 days or more.

Unless otherwise noted, yes. You can request a renewal through your ILLiad account by clicking on "Checked Out Items" in the View menu. Click on the transaction number of the item that you wish to renew and then click the "Renew Request" button. You will receive an email indicating whether or not your renewal has been approved or denied. Most lending libraries will grant 1 renewal.

Yes. When you first set up your ILLiad account, indicate your delivery method preferences or contact lib-ill@wpi.edu with your preferences. Shipments of returnable items will include prepaid shipping labels.

Please note: Physical Interlibrary Loan items, such as books, DVDs, CDs, cannot be delivered out of country.

Yes. Gordon Library is part of the Academic Research Collaborative , which allows current WPI students, faculty, and staff to directly borrow from area libraries. Please visit the Information Desk to pick up your ARC Card before visiting other libraries. You will need the ARC Card and your WPI ID to check out materials.

Yes. However, an ILL staff member will reach out to you, unless otherwise noted, to see if the electronic version satisfies the desired research needs.

Yes. We can photocopy the requested title and deliver it electronically. However, if you are in a hurry, we recommend that you come to the library and retrieve and copy it yourself.

No. Unfortunately, since the item is not ours, it would violate copyright to place an ILL item on Course Reserves.

There is no charge to you for materials obtained through Interlibrary Loan, only cost to the library. Please be mindful that although we may obtain many items for free through consortial agreements, some requests cost between $15-$50. In addition, for requests that require purchasing through external vendors, there is a $25/ term limit for undergraduates and $100/semester limit for graduates and faculty. For exceptions, please email lib-ill@wpi.edu.



If a lender cannot be located, your request will be cancelled and you will be notified via email.

You are responsible for the replacement of the item. We will contact the lending library for an invoice or replacement instructions. The amount will be added to your library account and your Illiad account will be blocked, services suspended, until the balance has been paid.

Please email lib-ill@wpi.edu to reset your ILLiad login.