Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
Interlibrary loan is the process by which a library requests materials from, or supplies materials to, another library on behalf of their patrons. At Knox, there are two ways to borrow materials from other libraries: I-Share and Tipasa.
I-Share is an interlibrary loan service that allows patrons at I-Share member libraries to borrow library materials directly from other I-Share member libraries at no cost. I-Share is facilitated by CARLI and includes 94 academic libraries in Illinois. Current Knox students, faculty and staff may use I-Share.
Tipasa is a separate interlibrary loan service available at no cost for current Knox students, faculty and staff. With Tipasa, requests may be filled by any of hundreds of libraries in the U.S. or even by international libraries.
The method to use depends on the type of material needed.
Books
Search Knox Primo first to see if our library owns a copy before requesting materials via I-Share. Books borrowed via I-Share have a loan period of 28 days and can be renewed for a maximum of 112 days.
If a book is not available when searching "All I-Share Libraries" in Knox Primo, place a request through Tipasa ILL.
Articles & Book Chapters
Use Tipasa ILL to request articles from journals and specific book chapters that are not available online in full text. Article pdfs arrive in 1-2 days.
Non-print Materials
Search Knox Primo first to see if our library owns the item before requesting materials via I-Share. Not all I-Share libraries lend non-print materials.
Use Tipasa ILL to request items such as DVDs, audio CDs and microfilm that are not available in the Knox libraries or via I-Share.
Use Our Book Drop When the Library is Closed
Book drop near the back entrance to Seymour Library.
All materials, including any items borrowing through I-Share, should be returned to the Circulation desk where the item was originally checked out.
If the library is closed, materials may be deposited in the book drop behind Seymour Library, or through the front door of the Science & Math Center Library. Materials should not be placed in the book drop during hours the library is open.
Reserves, because of their time-sensitive nature, should be returned in person to the Circulation desk of the respective library, unless the library is closed.
