If the Esther Raushenbush Library does not own the item you need, it can usually be obtained for you from another library through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). This service is available to Sarah Lawrence College students, faculty, and staff only. Alumni and Friends of the Library must use their local public libraries for ILL services.
Requesting Interlibrary Loans
Before Requesting an Item
You must first check the Sarah Lawrence Library Catalog to see if we own the item. If we own it but it is checked out to another patron, you must place a recall for that item. You cannot use ILL to secure items that we already own, including items on reserve or reference items.
Do not request articles available in journals that we own or are available through our full-text databases. If you need assistance searching the library catalog or databases please ask a Reference Librarian.
Request a Book or Video
Search for books or videos in the library catalog. If it is not available at our library, a blue button labeled “Request Item through Interlibrary Loan” will display. Fill out the form completely, and the ILL request will be placed for you.
OR
Click here to get the item(s) you need
- Search WorldCat for the item
- Locate and click on the link for the item
- Click "Borrow this item from another library" or the "ILL" button at the top of the page
- Click Submit
Note—If World Cat is not functioning, please submit your request via your Interlibrary Loan Account
Request an Article
Search for articles in the library catalog. If it is not available at our library, a blue button labeled “Request Item through Interlibrary Loan” will display. Fill out the form completely, and the ILL request will be placed for you.
Keeping Track of Your Requests
Use your interlibrary loan account to keep track of the status of your ILL requests, retain the history of your ILL transactions, request renewals on ILL items, and submit requests for loans or articles that cannot be found in our catalog.
Copyright Restrictions
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 other 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 in excess 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.