Due the continuing issues with COVID-19, availability of some Interlibrary Loan (ILL) materials may be limited, and processing times may be longer. Please submit your requests as normal and someone will notify you if we cannot borrow your materials. If you have questions about your requests please email ILL@auraria.edu.

  1. How is Interlibrary Loan (ILL) different from Prospector?
  2. Who can use ILL?
  3. How do I request materials?
  4. May I request e-books through ILL?
  5. Do I have to sign up for ILLiad using my school email?
  6. I forgot my username and password!
  7. How soon will my requests arrive?
  8. How can I check on the status of my request?
  9. How long can I keep my item?
  10. How do I renew?
  11. How will I know my request has arrived?
  12. Why wasn’t my ILL request filled?
  13. Why is my ILLiad account blocked?
  14. Restrictions and Copyright
  15. What happens if I lose an ILL item or return it damaged?
  16. Do you provide scanning/document delivery services for Interlibrary Loan-eligible patrons?

How is ILL different from Prospector?

Both ILL and Prospector fill requests for physical materials that Auraria Library doesn’t have. Prospector locates materials from select libraries in Colorado, Wyoming, and Missouri (through Mobius). To save time, you may please search Prospector for books or DVDs before submitting an ILL request, as Prospector materials generally arrive faster than Interlibrary Loans.

Who can use ILL?

Current Auraria students, faculty, and staff may use ILL. Emeritus faculty may request ILL items for In-Library Use Only.

How do I request materials?

Search WorldCat for your items. Once you find the item you want to request select the “Request Item through Interlibrary Loan” button. This will prompt you to login into your ILLiad account and enter your username and password. The details for this request will be automatically entered for you.

Alternatively, you can login into ILLiad click on the "New Requests" menu option at the top, choose the type of resource you would like to request from the drop down menu, and manually fill out the request information. Fill out the request form with as much information as possible. The more information provided, the greater the likelihood it will be filled quickly. 

If you are a first time user you will need to create an ILLiad account. Remember your username and password as you will need them to access your account, place requests, view electronically received articles, and request renewals for loan.

May I request e-books through ILL?

You are welcome to request e-book materials through ILL, however, license restrictions often prohibit libraries from lending e-books. If we are unable to obtain an e-book, we will notify you that we will try to get the item in print format. We have better results requesting chapters from e-books rather than the entire work. If you request e-book chapters, please request them one chapter per ILL request. We are typically able to request up to two chapters of a given book. If you have any questions about requesting e-books, please contact us at ill@auraria.edu.

Do I have to sign up for ILLiad using my school email?

Yes, all new ILLiad accounts require your University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Community College of Denver, or AHEC email address to be used as your user-name.

I forgot my username and password.

Submit the Forgot Username or Password form. If you need additional assistance, email us at ill@auraria.edu.

How soon will my requests arrive?

Most articles arrive within 1-2 business days. Books typically take a week to arrive for in-state loans and 2-3 weeks if out-of-state. Prospector is faster for print materials, so please try it first.

Some requests are harder to fill than others. If an item is new, popular, or difficult to find, it may take several weeks to find a lender.

How can I check on the status of my request?

Log into your ILLiad account to view the requests you have made. Requests that have not yet arrived or are in processing will appear on the main page. Materials that have arrived or are currently checked out are listed in “Checked out Items”. To view any article or book chapter request that you’ve had filled within the last 30 days, click on the “Electronically Received Articles” link.

How long can I keep my item?

Electronic articles will be available for 30 days or until deleted. Loan periods for physical items are set by the lending library and may vary. Some formats such as DVDs, videos, CDs, microfilm, bound journals, and old or rare books may have shorter loan periods or may only be available for use in the library.

How do I renew?

Interlibrary Loan materials are generally not renewable. Renewal decisions are determined by the lending library. You may request renewal of your materials through your ILL account. Renewal requests should be made within the week prior to the due date. Login to your ILLiad account and select “View / Review Check Out Items”. Select the “Renew Request” button on the top of the page. You may also request a renewal by emailing ILL@auraria.edu. Please include the TN number and title.

How will I know my request has arrived?

ILL will send you an email to let you know that your Interlibrary Loan materials have arrived. Please pick up physical items at the Ask Us Desk as soon as possible as they may have time limitations for check-out by the lending library. Articles are available electronically in your ILLiad account under “Electronically Received Articles” and will remain there for 30 days or until deleted.

Why wasn’t my ILL request filled?

ILL staff will do their best to fulfill your request. In some cases, your request may not be fulfilled because we are unable to find a library willing to loan the material, there are copyright restrictions, or there is a particularly high lending cost. There is never a cost to you for using Interlibrary Loan though Auraria Library typically pays $15 - $35 per loan. However, if the item cost is high, ILL staff will reach out to you to confirm that you still need the material.

Why is my ILLiad account blocked?

If your account is blocked, you may have overdue items, fines, or may have entered your ILLiad password incorrectly too many times. Please contact the ILL office at ill@auraria.edu for more information. If you need to reset your password, please use the Forgot Username or Password form.

Restrictions and Copyright

Interlibrary Loan is a courtesy provided by the lending library or institution and any conditions of use imposed by the lending library must be strictly observed. Loan periods vary. Some materials may be "library use only." All items are subject to immediate recall by the lending library or institution. Limitations on materials will be clearly indicated on the Interlibrary Loan jacket of the borrowed items. Disregarding restrictions and due dates may result in the lending libraries or institutions to refuse lending materials to Auraria Library in the future.

The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified 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 outside 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.

What happens if I lose an ILL item or return it damaged?

If an ILL item is lost or returned damaged, a fee for the replacement cost of the item will be added to your library account. This cost is determined by the policies of the lending library and may either be the cost we have to pay to replace the book, or may be a fee charged directly to us by the lending library. In all cases we will try to keep the fee as low as possible by not charging our own processing fees, however, the cost will depend on the cost of the item lost or damaged, and the policies of the lending library. In these circumstances the patron may be allowed to keep the damaged copy.

Do you provide scanning/document delivery services for Interlibrary Loan-eligible patrons?

Requests for scanning of print materials for accessibility concerns, or inability to come to the library to use them, are handled on a case-by-case basis. Please email ill@Auraria.edu for more information.