Go directly to our interlibrary loan system, ILLiad
Our interlibrary loan (ILL) service enables Tufts students, faculty, staff, and affiliate researchers to borrow books, CDs, DVDs, microfilm, and other materials from libraries worldwide. The service also provides scans of journal articles and book chapters from other libraries.
Borrowing items through Interlibrary Loan
If you need an item that is not available at a Tufts library, you can submit a request using our interlibrary loan (ILL) system, ILLiad.
You'll be able to view the status of your request in your ILLiad account. Once the item arrives at Tufts, you'll receive an email notification. Come to the Information and Circulation Desk to borrow your material.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I borrow an item through ILL?
It depends. The lending library decides when the book needs to be returned. Some loans are as long as 16 weeks, some are shorter.
How long will it take for my request to be filled?
The average turnaround time for an article to be scanned and sent by another library is 2 to 3 days, and the average time for a book to be delivered from another library is about a week. Some requests might take longer, depending on how rare an item is, or whether or not it’s in high demand at other libraries.
If you want to check on the status of your ILL request, reach out to us at ill@tufts.edu.
My ILL item is almost due. How do I renew it?
Some ILL items can be renewed, and some can’t. Your ILL item will come with paperwork that should indicate whether or not the item can be renewed. When you log into your ILLiad account and view your current loans, there will be a “Request Renewal” button if the item is eligible for renewal. If the renewal is approved by the library that we borrowed from, you’ll receive an email with the new due date.
Reach out to us at ill@tufts.edu if you need help requesting a renewal.
My ILL item is past due. Can I request a renewal?
We are unable to renew overdue items. Once an overdue item is returned, you are welcome to place another request for the same title through ILLiad.
How much of a book can I request to have scanned?
It can vary, but copyright guidelines only allow us to request one or two chapters at most, and no more than 20% of a book’s total number of pages.
I recently returned my ILL item. Why is it still checked out to me?
It can take up to 48 hours for an ILL return to be processed by our staff, after which the item will be taken off your account.
Can I request an ILL item to be mailed to my current address?
Yes. Once the item arrives at the library, we can mail it to your home address within the continental U.S. Please select the “Mail my request” option on the ILLiad form when placing your request.
My ILL item is almost due, but I am currently away from campus. Can I return the item to you by mail?
Yes! Email us ill@tufts.edu if you need to return an item by mail, and we will send you a pre-paid shipping label.
Are there any fees to use ILL?
ILL is a free service for the Tisch Library community.
I have more questions about Interlibrary Loan.
Call 617-627-6768; email ill@tufts.edu, or contact an interlibrary loan staff member.