Inter-library Loan

If you fail to find an item in our collection, you should first check the website of the Barbour Library, McCartney Library, or the Trinity School for Ministry Library before initiating an interlibrary loan request. If those libraries do not have what you want, fill out the request form for a book or for a periodical article.

Books and articles not available at RPTS can often be borrowed from another library by submitting an Interlibrary Loan Request Form (ILL).

All current RPTS faculty, staff, and students are eligible to use ILL services. However, persons with blocks or holds on their library account will be denied ILL services until their library account is in good standing.

Before requesting an ILL, please check TREE and our Journals List to verify that we do not have the item.

Delivery, Pickup, and Returns

Most ILL requests are filled within one week. Please allow 2-4 weeks for the delivery of materials. Pickup notices for books are e-mailed to you. Pick up your items at the Circulation Desk.

Return your item to the Circulation Desk by the due date printed on the ILL book band. Digital copies are yours to keep and use according to the publisher or copyright holder’s policies.

Request Limits and Disruptions

ILL costs the library money for each transaction, therefore the library reserves the right to limit the number of ILL requests made by any person during a semester. Also, the library usually experiences disruptions in ILL service during holidays and staffing changes. If you notice that your ILL request is taking longer than usual, please do not hesitate to contact the Librarian Staff. 

Renewal

Most ILL items cannot be renewed. Please check with the Librarian before the due date if you wish to renew an item.

For additional information, please contact Stephen Mulder at smulder@rpts.edu or 412-731-6000.