About the Library
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Within Seattle Community Colleges

  • All regularly-circulating library materials are available for interlibrary loan (ILL) among the 3 campus libraries and media services centers.
  • Authorized library users may place holds on circulating books, periodical titles, videos, and sound recordings held in other campus libraries through the Request Item function of the Library Catalog. Requests for non-circulating items such as Reference or Reserve materials cannot be processed.
  • Library use only and up to 7 days maximum loan time for any interlibrary loan audiovisual material.
  • ILL requests for periodical articles should be submitted through the librarians at the Reference Desk (optional).
  • In general, the Libraries are able to offer a two day turnaround time on in-district ILL requests.
  • ILL materials are held at the Circulation Desk for one week; library users are notified by phone or mail when their material arrives.
  • There is no charge for ILL service.
  • ILL service is not available if the library user has outstanding fines or overdue books.

Beyond Seattle Community Colleges

  • Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service is available for users who need materials held by other libraries. Users can search the WorldCat Database to view the holdings of local, national, and international libraries.
  • Seattle Community College Libraries do not charge authorized users for this service unless the lending library charges an ILL fee. The library can often advise users ahead of time whether or not the lending library charges a fee for ILL.
  • If fees are not determined when the request is made, users can specify a maximum amount they are willing to pay. If the fee exceeds this maximum amount, the request will be cancelled.
  • Users should submit requests for out-of-district ILL to the Reference Desk in person, by phone [(206) 934-5421), or by email to the reference desk. This service may be unavailable during quarter breaks.
  • Turnaround time depends on the lending library and the postal system. Typical requests take 1-3 weeks for delivery.