ILL FAQs
Who may use ILL services?
- BGC faculty, students, staff and fellows may place ILL requests. We cannot place ILL requests for alumni or visiting researchers. We suggest contacting your local public library for assistance.
What can I request through ILL?
- Books, journal articles and book chapters that are not owned by or available at Bard Graduate Center can be requested through ILL.
- E-books, textbooks and entire volumes or issues of periodicals can not be requested.
- Theses, dissertations, microfilms, and films (DVDs, VHS) are harder to obtain, but we will try all available options.
How do I use ILL for book requests?
1. Check our catalog, WorldCat Discovery, to make sure BGC does not own the item.
2. Check the catalog for holdings in NYC Libraries. If the book is available at a public NYC institution (e.g. Watson Library or NYPL), we ask that you consult the book there.
3. If the material is not available in NYC, you can submit an ILL request via the forms above.
4. Library staff will review your request and identify potential libraries to request the item from. If a lender is identified, you will receive an email when the item arrives.
5. Books are mailed to the BGC Library. Patrons will be notified via e-mail when an ILL arrives. ILL books can go to your student shelf or office, but ILLs cannot leave the building.
How do I use ILL for scans?
- BGC Library can place scan requests for a chapter of a book, or an article from a periodical.
- Scans of articles are sent via e-mail with a URL and password to access the PDF. You must download the PDF within 30 days, or it will expire. If your link expires, the library will be charged to place the request again.
Will it cost me to use ILL?
- There is no cost to the patron to request ILL items, this cost is covered by tuition. Please note that ILL requests cost the library up $45; therefore patrons should be judicious in making requests.
How long will it take?
- Books can take 2-4 weeks to arrive depending on where the item is coming from. Copy requests for journal articles and book chapters typically take 2-5 business days.
Should I choose which library the ILL will come from?
- No. Library staff will contact several libraries and find the appropriate lender for your requested item. BGC is part of a consortium and works within that consortium to keep prices down.
How long can I keep ILL materials?
- All loan periods and due dates are set by the lending libraries. Loan periods for ILL items must be followed and respected. Be aware that all borrowed ILL material is subject to recall.
- BGC’s standing in our ILL consortium depends upon the good will and reciprocity of other libraries. Failure to return items on time could jeopardize our relationship with the libraries that lend to us. Please return your ILL items on time.
Can I renew an ILL?
- ILL renewals are not guaranteed and are made at the discretion of the lending library. If you want to renew your ILL item, email reference@bgc.bard.edu before the item’s due date.
- If your renewal request is denied you must return your book by its due date.
Where do I pick up and return ILL materials?
- All ILLs can be picked up from the ILL shelf behind the Reference Desk on the 2nd floor.
- ILL items must be returned to the Reference Desk or the Research Services office (directly behind the Ref Desk). Please do not return ILL books to the re-shelving carts.
