Knowing Your Library Series: How to Use the Interlibrary Loan Service
Dear WKUers, when immersed in the vast ocean of knowledge, what if you find the item you are looking for difficult to access? Don’t worry! When this happens, it’s time for our library’s “Interlibrary Loan Service” to display its capabilities fully!
What is Interlibrary Loan?
Interlibrary Loan is a service based on the sharing of resources between libraries. It’s a way of obtaining documents that are unavailable in our library from other libraries when patrons need them according to the interlibrary loan system, agreements, methods, and charges.
When we study or do research, we may encounter situations where some chapters of books or periodicals are not available in either Wenzhou-Kean University or Kean University’s subscription resources. Then, WKU Library will try to borrow such items from other institutions.
Are you already curious about this magic tool in the library? Let’s explore how to use it together.
How to Submit an Interlibrary Loan Request
Interlibrary Loan Requests can be submitted via an online request form. In addition, patrons can submit requests on the intermedium page of e-resource search results. WKUers can choose to submit an Interlibrary Loan Request based on their situation. The specific process for submitting an Interlibrary Loan Request is as follows：
Fill Out the Form
Step 1:
Go to the Wenzhou-Kean University official website (https://www.wku.edu.cn/), and click on "Library" at the middle of the homepage;
Step 2:
Click on “Services” then select “Interlibrary Loan” from the dropdown menu;
Step 3:
Fill in your personal information and the details of the required literature resources. After confirming the information is correct, click “Submit”. The library staff will respond via email once the resources are obtained;
Page of E-resource Search Results
Step 1:
Go to the Wenzhou-Kean University official website (https://www.wku.edu.cn/), and click on “Library” at the middle of the homepage;
Step 2:
Click on the search bar, type in the keywords of the aimed items and click “Search”;
Step 3:
Log in to your WKU account to access the search results;
Step 4:
Click on “Expand Results” on the left side of the page to access more resources;
Step 5:
If the search results show “No Online Access” for the needed resource, click on the document details and use the “Resource Sharing” button to submit an Interlibrary Loan Request;
Step 6:
Verify the relevant information about the resources. After confirming that everything is correct, click “Send Request” Once the other library responds, the requested literature will be sent to your WKU email address.
We hope you have learnt how to use the Interlibrary Loan Service. When using this service, you also need to pay attention to following notes.
Note
- Type: WKU Library accepts only requests of electronic items. In addition, please be aware that requests for a complete ebook are not acceptable.
- Time: Please be patient while waiting for the document to be delivered. Some Interlibrary Loan Requests may take one to two weeks to complete. WKU Library will send the requested documents to the patron as soon as they received items.
- Delivery: The Library will include a temporary link directing to the requested items in the email. The Library asks the patrons promptly to follow the link to get access to the delivered items. The temporary link expires in 14 days.
- Availability: Once a request was sent out to the lending institution, WKU Library has no control over whether or not it is filled. Not all requested titles may be filled due to the items’ unavailability on the lenders, to the institution’s lending policy, or the copyright law.
- Copyright: Due to copyright issues, please do not circulate received items or use the items for commercial purposes.
All WKUers, have you already known something about our Interlibrary Loan Service? You can use it as needed when searching for resources in the future!
Content | ZHANG Yuguang
Layout | ZHANG Yuguang
Review | HU Linxiao
