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Interlibrary Loan

Requests by Cal Poly students, faculty, staff, emeritus (and alumni with a library membership)

Cal Poly students, faculty, staff, emeritus, (and alumni with  library membership) may place requests directly in OneSearch.

When you are signed into OneSearch your request options will appear.  These may include physical books/media, digital articles, digital book chapters, and more. If no request option appears you may always fill out a request for Interlibrary Loan.

You can view and track all your requests from “My Account”

If you have questions, email: ude.yloplacnull@sli

Requests by Affiliated and Community Users

Interlibrary Loan options for Affiliates and Community Membership have been suspended until further notice.

How long does it take?

Cal Poly students, faculty, and staff (and alumni with a library membership)

How soon do you need it? What do you need? How to get it.
Today All Formats Use OneSearch for available online and print library materials
1+ days Journal Articles or book chapters Use OneSearch to make requests for items not in Kennedy subscriptions or collections
3+ days Books, Dissertations, and media available in other CSU libraries Use OneSearch to request materials available in other CSU libraries
3+ days Books, Dissertations, and media not available from CSU libraries Use OneSearch to request materials or submit an Interlibrary Loan request

Remember, if no request option appears you may always fill out a request for Interlibrary Loan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary Loan facilitates access to materials not available via Kennedy Library subscriptions and collections.  Requests are charge-free for Cal Poly students, staff, faculty, and emeritus. Alumni may receive up to 10 Interlibrary Loan requests per year.

  • Journal articles and book chapters are delivered as PDF files. Generally this takes between 1-3 days, though some items may take longer.
  • Books and other physical materials borrowed from other libraries have limited borrowing periods and renewals may not be possible. For this reason, borrowing assigned textbooks or books needed for extended periods of time is not possible.
  • Although other libraries will lend many different kinds of materials, some items, such as videos, reference works, rare materials, and textbooks may not be available for loan.
  • Please consult with the Interlibrary Loan staff if you have any questions about availability or the length of time you may borrow materials.

Interlibrary Loan Office

How do I request materials?

When you are signed into OneSearch your request options will appear.  These may include physical books/media, digital articles, digital book chapters, and more. If no request option appears you may always fill out a request for Interlibrary Loan.

Who may use Interlibrary Loan services?

  • Currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff.
  • Cal Poly emeritus faculty and staff.
  • Cal Poly alumni receive up to 10 Interlibrary Loan requests per year.

How long does it take?

  • Materials are always obtained as soon as possible. You can assist us in this process including a complete citation. In particular, the ISSN number, ISBN number, OCLC number, or DOI, if known, can speed processing. Examples of each:
    • ISBN: 0879305568
    • ISSN: 0360-0025
    • OCLC: 40305568
    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.04.007
  • Books from outside CSU libraries may take more than 7 days to arrive.
  • Journal articles may take more than 3 days to arrive.

Can I check the status of my request?

  • Yes!  You can view and track all your requests from “My Account“

How do I pick up materials?

  • You will receive email notification that your material has arrived—keep your information up to date at the University Portal to ensure you are promptly notified.
  • Journal articles and other digital materials will be provided in a PDF file for you to view, download, or print.
  • Books (and other returnable material) will be available for you to pick up at the Library PickUp Lockers located on Dexter Plaza..

What is the checkout period?

  • Checkout periods depend on the lending institution. Each individual lending institution has its own checkout periods.
  • Journal articles and other digital materials are yours to keep but be sure to download your copies within 90 days before the system automatically deletes them.

Are Interlibrary Loan tangible materials renewable?

How do I return materials?

  • Interlibrary loan items may be returned night or day in the drop box in the H10 parking lot across the street from the Kennedy building, or the drop box on Dexter Plaza (near Subway), or, during open hours, in the drop box in Crandall Gym (Bldg. 60).
  • After your item has been retrieved and checked back an email will be sent automatically confirming the return of your item.

What are the fines for overdue or lost materials?

  • There are no fines for overdue materials.
  • Patrons are billed for lost library materials.
    • A notice is emailed and library privileges are suspended until library charges are cleared.
    • An academic hold may be placed on the records of current and former Cal Poly students. The suspension and/or hold remain in effect until all library charges are cleared.
    • The charge for lost materials and/or terms of replacement remain at the discretion of the owning institution. The Interlibrary Loan Office at Kennedy Library will remain your contact in this case.

How do I contact Interlibrary Loan staff?

Interlibrary Loan Office