Interlibrary Loan FAQ

Interlibrary Loan is available to current Northwest University faculty, students, and staff engaged in class related research.  Materials for recreational or personal research should be requested through the public library.

When should I use Interlibrary Loan? 

Items not owned by Hurst Library can be requested through Interlibrary Loan.

How long does it take?

Requests are processed Monday through Friday.  Please allow up to two weeks for items to arrive.

If you need an item immediately, you may want to check the holdings in local libraries.  Also, current NU students can borrow materials from Seattle University, SPU, PLU, UPS and St. Martin's University.  Guidelines from that library must be followed, and materials must be returned to the same library on or before the due date.

How much will I need to pay to obtain an item through Interlibrary Loan?

There is no charge for items requested through the Interlibrary Loan service.  However, be aware that the cost to the library is between $25.00 & $30.00 per item.

What cannot be requested?

What may be hard to obtain?

How do I request an item?

If you locate the item through any of the article databases on the library website you can use the link "Order item through Interlibrary Loan" and fill out the form.  Online forms are also available:

When requesting an item, please make sure you provide all the requested information.  Submitting requests electronically indicate compliance with the Copyright Law, Title 17 U. S. Code.

How will I know when my requested item is here?

You will be notified by e-mail when the item is available.  If you have requested a book or media, pick up the item in the library immediately.  If you have requested an article, you will probably receive a second email with a link to the document.  If you do not receive this second email, please pick up your article in the library.

How long may I keep the item and what are the restrictions?

The loan period and any restrictions (e.g. Library use only) for items are set by the lending library.  The due date will be indicated on the sleeve on the item.

Copies of articles belong to you.

How can I request a renewal?

Contact us by email (ill@northwestu.edu) at least four days before the due date you would like to request a renewal.  The lending library will decide whether or not to renew the material and for how long. You will receive an email with their decision.

What if I don't return the item by the due date?

A fine of $1.00 per day will be charged for overdue items.  If not returned by the time it is 30 days overdue, in addition to the fine of $30.00 a processing fee of $25.00 will be added to your library account.  If these costs are not paid in full in the library, they will be charged to your student account, or you will be sent an invoice for the amount.

Be aware that the library that loaned the item to you may also access fines/fees at a later date.  If we receive an invoice for these fines/fees, you will be notified and your account will be charged.

Copyright Law, Title 17 U. S. Code

The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to 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.

8/05 lynette.sorenson@northwestu.edu