Looking for a book, article or video that is not in the Cuesta Library collection? With interlibrary loan (ILL), current Cuesta students and employees can borrow materials from other libraries in our network. This guide contains step-by-step instructions for placing an ILL request and provides answers to the most common questions. If you have further questions, please let us know by visiting Ask a Librarian or emailing ill@cuesta.edu. We're happy to help!
ILL Request Form
Click the image below to access the form.
What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?
Interlibrary Loan is a service through which current students and employees may request print and audio-visual materials not owned or accessible by Cuesta College library.
What types of materials are available?
We will attempt to borrow articles, books and other materials you may require. Requests for textbooks, bestsellers, videos and other in-demand items may be difficult to fulfill. See FAQs for more information.
How do I request an ILL?
After checking OneSearch and verifying that Cuesta doesn't have the book or article you are interested in, you can complete this ILL request form. Please follow the instructions on the step-by-step tab of this guide (see above).
Is there a charge for ILL?
Interlibrary Loan services are provided to current Cuesta faculty, staff, and students only, usually without any costs from participating institutions. Very rarely, there may be a fee from non-participating institutions that charge for interlibrary loan services – see the FAQs page for more information.
How long do ILLs take to arrive?
Most loan requests are filled within 10 business days; articles generally arrive within one week. Other materials may take longer, depending on the location of the supplying library and method of delivery. If you need resources ASAP, please consult a librarian for materials in person at the library on either campus or via chat, Zoom, email or phone at Ask a Librarian.
How will I receive the ILL material?
Many libraries ship photocopies of articles to us in electronic format. We email these articles to you as PDFs (Adobe's Portable Document Format). Physical items will be delivered to the Cuesta campus you select as pick-up location on the ILL request form.
How long can I keep the material?
Photocopies, unless otherwise noted, are yours to keep. Documents delivered electronically are available for download for thirty (30) days after first received. Loans of books and other materials may generally be kept for three (3) weeks unless otherwise noted on the book strap. If you need to use the material longer, please email ill@cuesta.edu to request a renewal.
