Items from Another Institution Using Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Request items not available in our collection through interlibrary loan, and we’ll get them from another library for you. 

Interlibrary loan — sometimes abbreviated I.L.L. — is available to faculty, undergraduates, graduate students, permanent staff, people designated as “proxies” who borrow for faculty members, retired faculty and staff, and visiting scholars.

How to place a request

There are a few ways to place interlibrary loan requests:

  • Log in directly via ILLiad and fill out a request form
  • Use the Get This link in Library Search and select Request a copy from another library when an item we own is checked out and unavailable
  • Use the MGet It link or button in library databases and choose request to have a copy delivered
See our tips for using other catalogs to find materials outside of U-M.

How items are delivered

Articles, books chapters, and any other scan requests are delivered electronically. 

You will receive an email notification when physical items are ready to be picked up.

Let us know your preferred pickup location by setting your library delivery preference. We also deliver items across the Ann Arbor campus — including through departmental delivery — and to our partners in Flint and Dearborn.

Processing time for physical items (loans) can vary widely depending on the nature and availability of the item. 

Loan periods and renewals are determined by the lending library. We try to find the longest loans and flexible renewal options when filling requests.

Please make sure the interlibrary loan book band stays on your item. These help us keep track of items and ensure they make it back to the right place!

Library Use Only 

Library Use Only items are designated with a yellow band around the book. The item must remain in the location it’s held in, and returned to the respective information services desk after each viewing. Please do not put these items in drop boxes.

Returning your items

Not all pick up locations accept interlibrary loan returns. See our return locations page for a full listing.

University of Michigan Library

Our community

Privacy and copyright

Library Privacy Statement

Except where otherwise noted, this work is subject to a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. For details and exceptions, see the Library Copyright Policy.

Federal Depository Library Program