Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service that provides you access to items not owned by your particular RTS campus library. ILL makes it possible for you to borrow items, or receive book and article scans, from other RTS campuses and other library collections. For an overview of this service, please see Interlibrary Loan Service LibGuide.
- Interlibrary Loan Services are only available to currently enrolled RTS students, faculty, and staff.
- Prior to making a book ILL request, search the RTS Library Catalog to make sure the title is not owned at your campus library. Search by title/author, not ISBN. Local Resources for Charlotte students here.
- For My Campus Library select the campus where you are enrolled and attending. If the item is owned by a different RTS library, do not contact the owning library.
Interlibrary Loan FAQ
Who may use ILL?
All current Faculty, Staff, and Students are eligible for Interlibrary Loan Services. However, persons with blocks due to fines, overdue books and other circumstances may be blocked from Interlibrary Loan services until all library accounts are cleared. If you have questions about your account, contact your library staff.
I am enrolled at an RTS campus, but I am taking all my classes online this semester. Am I considered a Distance Ed. student?
No. You are still a student at the campus where you are enrolled and will earn your degree.
What kinds of materials may I request through ILL?
ILL requests may be submitted for books, book scans, and scans of journal articles. Rare books, audiovisual, microform, genealogical, reference materials, and most dissertations are not generally available for ILL.
What about copyright laws?
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code), governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research”. If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order, if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.
Is there a limit on how many requests I can make?
Each campus reserves the right to limit the number of request filled for each patron. Contact library staff for details.
How long does ILL take and how will I know when materials arrive?
Allow two-four weeks for delivery of your request. You will be notified by e-mail when your request is available.
When are ILL books due back?
The loan period for books is set by the lending library and is generally one month. You will be provided the due date when you receive your request.
May I renew ILL books?
It depends upon the lending library. Check with your library staff if you have questions about extending your loan.
For any other questions or concerns regarding interlibrary loans, please contact you campus library staff.