Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Interlibrary Loan is a service that supplements our Library's collections by providing access to materials owned by other libraries across the country. If you are a Randolph-Macon College student, faculty or staff member, the library can obtain copies of journal articles and borrow books and other materials from another library. Please note: You must request a renewal of your ILL books by logging directly into your TIPASA account.

Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions about our interlibrary loan (ILL) service:

1. How do I request an article or book using interlibrary loan?
2. How quickly can I get materials through interlibrary loan?
3. What kinds of materials can I request?
4. How much does interlibrary loan cost?
5. How will I know when my interlibrary loan item has arrived?
6. How long can I keep an interlibrary loan item?
7. How do I return interlibrary loan materials?

1. How do I request something through interlibrary loan?
   • Check our catalog (WMS) and Journal Title Search to verify that the McGraw-Page Library does not have the materials you need.
   • Most library databases include a Find It button on resources we don’t have access to. Click that button to login and place your interlibrary loan request.
   • If the Find It button is not available, or you cannot find the item in a database, create or login to your TIPASA account (see button to the right).
   • Complete the form to request a book, article, book chapter or other item.
   • Track the status of all of your interlibrary loan requests via TIPASA, view a history of your past requests, cancel or resubmit requests, view due dates of loaned items, or submit a due date extension (renewal) request for a loaned item.
2. How quickly can I get materials through interlibrary loan?
   The average turnaround time is 3-5 business days for copies of articles and 3-14 business days for books. Please submit interlibrary loan requests well in advance of deadlines.
3. What kinds of materials can I request?
   You can request the following materials:
   • Books
   • Journal articles
   • DVDs
   The following materials can only be requested after consultation with library staff:
   • Items from special collections
   • Bound volumes of periodicals
   • Microfiche/microfilm
   • Theses/dissertations (these tend to be difficult to get, but we always try our best!)
   • Other audio-visual materials
   Because we are unable to control what due date a lending library may set for the return of their books, Interlibrary Loan is not a recommended method for obtaining course textbooks.
4. How much does interlibrary loan cost?
   Interlibrary loan is typically free for users, as the library pays borrowing and shipping costs.
   If an item obtained through interlibrary loan is damaged or lost, however, charges may be passed on to the borrower.
5. How will I know when my interlibrary loan item has arrived?
   You will receive an email to your Randolph-Macon email account when your item has arrived.
   • Books can be picked up at the Library Information Desk during regular library hours. Interlibrary loan books not claimed within two weeks will be returned to the lending library.
   • Copies of journal articles that arrive electronically will be sent to your TIPASA account drop box. You can see these articles by clicking on the 'View Electronically Received Articles' link. Articles that arrive as paper copies can be picked up at the Library Information Desk. Faculty who have elected not to receive electronic copies can also pick up their articles at the Library Information Desk.
6. How long can I keep an interlibrary loan item?
   Copies of articles are yours to keep. Articles received in your TIPASA account will be automatically deleted after 30 days, so should be saved elsewhere.
   Loan periods for books can vary, though most are loaned for eight weeks. If you need more time, log into your TIPASA account (see button to the right) and request a renewal or contact the Interlibraray Loan Office at ill@rmc.edu.
7. How do I return interlibrary loan materials?
   All loans (not articles) obtained through interlibrary loan should be returned to the Library Information Desk during regular library hours. As with books you borrow from our library, you may return your interlibrary loan books to Campus Safety if the library is closed.

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