How long does it take to get an interlibrary loan book?

How long does it take?

Delivery time of interlibrary loan materials depends on the availability of items at other libraries and the shipping methods used by other libraries.  One to two weeks is an average turnaround time for most ILL requests, but the scarcity or popularity of the material can vastly affect this estimate. Additionally, if you select a pickup option at a branch location or home delivery, the book is received at Bobst first, then sent to other locations, which can add time to the journey. If you would like an update on your ILL request, please contact Interlibrary Loan after you have submitted it.
 

If you are in a rush:

  • Request only the article or book chapter you need, rather than the entire book. Articles and book chapters are delivered electronically as PDFs. 
  • Some users may also be eligible for direct access to materials at other libraries.  Please see this page on library access for more information.

Tip:

  • When placing an interlibrary loan request, make sure that you are entering accurate and complete information about the item you need. Incomplete citations can slow down the process.

Answered By: Access, Delivery, and Resource Sharing Services
Last Updated: May 21, 2026Views:

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