The University Library’s interlibrary loan service provides resources from libraries across Canada and around the world.
Electronic versions of journal articles and book chapters can arrive in as little as 24 hours as a PDF file. Book loans from Canadian libraries usually arrive in three to ten days. Items from international locations, including the U.S., may take longer due to customs procedures at border crossings.
Most article requests can be saved or printed, as long as copyright guidelines are followed. Book loans are permitted for three weeks with the option to renew. For more information about interlibrary loans, visit library.usask.ca/ill.
How to submit an interlibrary loan request
FAQs
Who can use interlibrary loan?
- Free for current USask students, faculty and staff (in good standing).
- Free for distance students, interns, medical residents and students on placement. Register for distance and distributed library services to access interlibrary loan services.
- Alumni and external borrowers will be charged a fee of $15 per request for interlibrary loan services and must submit requests via email to illquery@usask.ca. There may be additional charges if the cost for borrowing from the lending library exceed $15. In those cases, we will confirm the cost with you before proceeding with the request.
How do I get electronic document requests?
Most documents (articles, book chapters) will be delivered to you electronically as a PDF file.
Once your document is available, a temporary link and instructions for document retrieval are emailed to your official USask email account (abc123@usask.ca).
*IMPORTANT* PDF documents are available to download for 10 days from the time the document is supplied, and can be accessed three times. Remember to download a copy of your item for your personal use.
Where do I pick up my interlibrary loan items?
You will receive an email notice when your interlibrary loan or scan request has arrived / is ready with details about where and when to pick it up.
Most physical items (books, microfilm, etc.) can be picked up at any of our library locations' Library Services Desks. You will need to present your campus ID card to check out your item(s).
Feedback from USask academics on interlibrary loan
“The interlibrary loan service at the library is one of the most efficient and powerful tools for me to complete my project literature reviews. Over the years, they have been able to find most of my request rapidly, even from the more obscure and ancient journals.”-Romain Gougeon, graduate student
“Since 2011, I have frequently used the interlibrary loans service to support my academic work. Throughout my MEd and PhD programs in educational administration, it was an essential service and I continue to use it for my current research projects.”-Dr. Lucille Otero, Department of Educational Administration
“In no time, you will have the books or articles you need drawn from other university libraries across Canada. Your research will proceed unimpeded.”-Don Cochrane, professor emeritus