Interlibrary Loan

The Interlibrary Loan office is located in the library, which is on the second floor of the Academic Building. We are open from 7:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Exceptions to normal hours may be made during holiday breaks, end of term, and zero section. You can reach us at (810) 762-7938 or ill@kettering.edu. Our fax number is (810) 762-9744.

Please plan ahead when requesting material.

Interlibrary Loan FAQs

• What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?
• Who may use ILL?
• How do I request material through ILL?
• When should I use ILL?
• What materials may be borrowed?
• What materials cannot be borrowed?
• How many items may I order?
• How long does an ILL request take?
• How much does ILL cost me?
• How do I know when my material has arrived?
• How long may I keep borrowed material? May I renew?
• What happens if my request returns “UNFILLED”?
• Where do I return ILL material when I am finished?
• Are there fines or fees for overdue, lost or damaged material?
• Is “RUSH” service available?
• May I use ILL if I am on my work term, a distance learner or a thesis student?
• May I borrow a Kettering thesis?
• What is "Copyright" and how does it apply to me?

What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

ILL is a service provided by the Kettering University Library for obtaining materials that are not available in the Kettering University Library collections. All polices governing InterLoan procedures are based on the National Interlibrary Loan Code.

Who may use ILL?

Interlibrary Loan is available to currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff.  ILL services are not available to alumni, courtesy card patrons, FOLA members, or company sponsoring employees.  Genesee County residents may use Interlibrary Loan at the Flint Public Library or the Genesee District Library.

How do I request material through ILL?

There are three ways in which to request materials through ILL:

• Online request forms are available for articles and books 
  (These links also appear in the blue panel on the right side of this page and the Library home page)

• Request forms are available outside the ILL office on top of the patron file cabinet

• Email your request(s) to the ILL Technician; ill@kettering.edu

When should I use ILL?

Use ILL to request a book or article that is not available from the Kettering University Library collections. Please check the online catalog and/or the library's databases page before submitting an ILL request.

What materials may be borrowed?

• Generally, most material not available in the Kettering University Library collections
• Some dissertations and thesis

What materials cannot be borrowed?

• Generally, new materials
• Textbooks
• Entire issues of journals
• Reference material
• Audio/visual material
• Microfilm/microfiche
• Rare, unique or very old items
• Fragile items

How many items may I order?

The Library does not limit the number of items a patron can borrow. However, the ILL office will process a daily maximum of five item requests per patron.

How long does an ILL request take?

Most requests take seven to fourteen business days to fill, but may take longer depending on the type of request. The average turnaround time for an ILL book request is seven to ten business days, and an ILL document request is five to seven business days (some document requests may arrive sooner). Requests are processed within 48 hours upon receipt in the Interlibrary Loan Office.

ILL requests are processed in the order received and are routed to five libraries in a sequence. Each library has five business days to respond to the request. If you are eager to learn the status of your request contact the ILL Office at (810) 762-7938, or email us at ill@kettering.edu.

If we have questions regarding your ILL request and you do not respond to our email within seven business days, we will assume you no longer need the ILL material, and your request will be cancelled.

How much does ILL cost me?

Interlibrary Loan is not a free service, but most requests are filled free of charge to you. The library absorbs many of the costs that can include lender fees, postage, and copyright permissions. In cases where the total per item charge exceeds $50.00, you will be asked to pay any amount exceeding the $50.00 limit. ILL staff will contact you for approval before proceeding with your request.

How do I know when my material has arrived?

ILL staff will notify you by email when your material is ready to be picked up. ILL material can be picked up at the circulation desk.

How long may I keep borrowed material? May I renew?

The lending library determines the loan period and whether renewal requests will be granted.  Libraries generally lend materials for two to three weeks. Renewal requests MUST be made five days in advance of due date.  The due date is stamped on the book strap affixed to the front of each book loaned. Items must be returned on or before the due date to avoid any fines or fees charged by the lending library.  If your book is recalled by the lending library it must be returned immediately.

What happens if my request returns “UNFILLED”?

The library will do its best to secure requested material. On occasion an item cannot be borrowed because of the lending library policy, copyright issues, or because it is not available in WorldCat.
We will make two attempts to secure requested material. You will be notified by email if the second attempt to secure your material is unsuccessful, and your request will be cancelled.

Where do I return ILL material when I am finished?

Return borrowed material to the ILL office.  If the office is closed you may drop your material off at the Circulation Desk. It is important to return ILL books on time so as not to jeopardize our borrowing relationships with other libraries. Photocopies are yours to keep.

Are there fines or fees for overdue, lost or damaged material?

Yes.  Some libraries do charge fines or fees for overdue, lost or damaged material. All students, faculty, and staff are responsible for any fines or fees for overdue, lost or damaged material obtained through ILL. Failure to pay these fees will result in a library hold and a suspension of ILL privileges.

• If you should lose or damage a borrowed book, you may not supply a replacement.
• The lending library will supply an invoice for damaged or lost books, and the patron will reimburse the library is U S Dollars.
• The library will not issue a refund for lost books once charges are paid to the lending library.

Is ‘Rush’ service available?

‘Rush’ service may be available. Please speak to the Librarian on Duty, or the ILL Technician.

May I use ILL if I am on my work term, a distance learner or a thesis student?

Yes. There are three ways in which to request materials through ILL:

• Online request forms are available for articles and books 
  (These links also appear in the blue panel on the right side of this page and the Library home page)

• Request forms are available outside the ILL office on top of the patron file cabinet

• Email your request(s) to the ILL Technician; ill@kettering.edu

Articles will be sent to your email account, unless you make other arrangements. We are unable to borrow and ship books to distance learners and students not on campus due to the short check-out period of borrowed books.

May I borrow a Kettering thesis?

No. You must be on site to view the Kettering Digital Thesis Archive.