About Interlibrary Loan

Log in to your Interlibrary Loan Account

What is Interlibrary Loan?

If a current student, faculty, or staff can't find an item through Viterbo's resources, we can borrow it from another library.

How Do I Request Items?

Use the Interlibrary Loan Tutorial to walk you through 2 ways of making a request.  If you have questions, please ask a librarian.

When Will Items Arrive?

Time Frame
Articles 7 days or less
Books  10-14 days
Dissertations  Dissertations require more time to obtain than books or articles if they are only owned by the original publisher.  If the dissertation is not available for loan from the original publisher, you may purchase it from UMI Dissertation Express.
Conference Papers  Conference papers can be difficult or impossible to obtain.  These papers are usually maintained by the author rather than a library.  Sometimes, if you contact the author, she or he will share the conference paper with you.  Please ask if you need help locating the author.
Videos, Music, Musical Scores, and Reference Items

Many libraries don't lend these, so it can take us longer to find them than it does to find books or articles.  You may be required to view some videos in the library depending on cost and insurance requirements.

Microfilm and Microfiche We can usually borrow microfilm and microfiche, but they must be viewed in the library due to their expense.

How Do I Know When Items Arrive?

We'll email you.  If the item is an article, you'll receive a link and password to access it.  If it's a physical item, we'll ask you to pick it up at the main desk.

How Long Can I Borrow Items?

Loan periods for items are determined by the lending library, not Viterbo.  Loan periods vary, but are typically around 4 weeks.  We will attach a label with the due date to the cover of the item.

It is common for lending libraries to grant one renewal, but no more.  To renew, log into your interlibrary loan account.  On the right, go to "View."  Select "Checked Out Items."  Select the item's transaction number.  Click "Renew Request" at the top.

Overdue materials cannot be renewed.  If you still need the item, email the main desk at library2@viterbo.edu, or call 608-796-3269.  We ask that you return overdue items so we stay on good terms with our lenders, and we will request another copy if needed.

Can I Borrow Textbooks?

The library does not promote the borrowing or lending of textbooks and will decline an interlibrary loan borrowing request when it is done in lieu of purchasing a textbook for a course.  Purchasing or renting text books is an essential part of your educational experience at Viterbo.  The process of borrowing a textbook can take up to several weeks, leaving the student without a textbook for an extended period of time.  Interlibrary loan items generally must be returned within four weeks, leaving a student without a textbook for the remainder of the semester.