Who can use the service?

Interlibrary Loan is available to current University of Minnesota students, staff, and faculty. The Bio-Medical Library processes requests for patrons in the Academic Health Center. Students, staff, and faculty in other disciplines may use the ILL units that serve their program. Go to https://umn.hosts.atlas-sys.com/illiad/logon.html for more information. Individuals who are not current University of Minnesota students, staff, or faculty may use the fee-based Biomedical Information Service.
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Are some materials difficult to obtain?

Some items are very difficult to obtain, including reference books, test/survey manuals, very old or rare items, software, audiovisual materials, and entire journal issues. We will make our best effort to obtain materials you request, but cannot guarantee that your request will be filled successfully.
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The ILL unit cannot guarantee a specific turnaround time. However, studies have shown that most of our requested material arrives within approximately ten working days and often sooner. Some material may take longer to arrive, due to factors outside the control of the ILL unit. Requests that are incomplete or inaccurate may take longer to fill. Please request material in ample time for your deadline. Also, please supply a need-by date if you have a firm deadline.
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Are special services available?

How long can I keep the material?

Photocopies of journal articles and book chapters are yours to keep. Original loans of books, theses, audiovisuals, etc. are subject to the due date set by the lending library. If you need the material for a longer time, please contact the ILL unit and we will try to renew the material for you. Please return your ILL materials on time, as failure to do so may result in suspension of ILL services for you and perhaps for all patrons of the Bio-Medical Library.
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How much does it cost?

In most cases, ILL is provided at no cost to you (some exceptions apply). The Bio-Medical Library absorbs the cost of providing material through ILL, and typically pays another library $10-20 for each item. Studies have shown that when staff time is calculated, an item obtained through ILL costs almost $20.00 on average (Association of Research Libraries).

Some special services and situations do involve a charge. Expedited fax-back service is available for $5 per article (payable by cash, check, of CUFS number. You may also be asked to pay copyright fees (which may range from $.50 per page to $50 per article or more), excessive fees charged by another library, or other very unique circumstances.

You will be asked to indicate the maximum cost you are willing to pay. In most instances, we are not able to re-process the request if you later change your mind about the cost you are willing to pay. In no instance will you be charged more than the maximum you are willing to pay without being asked to approve the additional charges.
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What if I damage or lose the material?

If you damage or lose material that has been borrowed through Interlibrary Loan, please contact the ILL unit right away. We will contact the lending library to determine replacement or repair fees, and then pass the fees along to you.
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What if the University Libraries own what I requested?

Interlibrary Loan is for items not owned by any of the University of Minnesota-TC campus libraries. If the item you have requested is available at the Bio-Medical Library, you will be notified. You may then retrieve the item yourself (assistance is available at the Reference Desk on the 2nd level of the Library) or use our PhotoDelivery service to request a copy of the article(s) for a fee. We also offer delivery of journals from the Veterinary Medical Library).

If the item you have requested is available at another campus library, you will be notified. You may then retrieve the item yourself, or use LUMINA to U, a fee-based document delivery service operated by the University Libraries (eligibility and fees vary).

If the item you have requested is a book available at a library on campus, you may be able to use Point-to-Point to have the book delivered to the campus library closest to you (some restrictions apply).
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