Frequently Asked Questions About Interlibrary Loan

The Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Department requests library materials from, and supplies materials to, other libraries. Our mission is to provide research materials not owned by Wyndham Robertson Library to current students, faculty, and employees of Hollins University.

NEW FALL 2025: You can now request ILL items using OneSearch! An introductory video is below.

Interlibrary Loan allows you to place and track requests within OneSearch for journal articles and books not available at Hollins. You can check the status of your requests in the My Account section.

Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a service provided to current Hollins students, faculty and staff. Materials commonly obtained via ILL include: books, articles, book chapters, films, sound recordings, and theses.

NOTE: we cannot obtain:

  • Textbooks or required texts for classes. ILL cannot serve as a substitute for purchasing these items for two reasons:
    • 1) We can’t support the volume of requests that would create (getting textbooks for everyone).
    • 2) Most libraries do not purchase textbooks because they go out of date so quickly, so it’s unlikely that anyone would be able to fulfill your request.
  • Items already owned by this library.

Films, sound recordings, and theses may take a longer time to borrow, because of limited availability and/or some libraries’ inability to lend these materials.

If you need other types of material, such as entire issues of periodicals, music or play scripts, newspapers, reference books, or microfilm, please contact the ILL coordinator. Because other libraries are often not able to lend these materials, we may have to make special arrangements to borrow them.

How many requests may I make?

We do not limit the number of requests you may make; if placing a large number of requests (>10) at one time, please help us by indicating priority. We will contact you if we have questions.

Are there charges?

ILL is a free service.

NOTE: You are liable for any charges related to overdue, lost or damaged items.

Because ILL violations affect our borrowing privileges for all Hollins users, any charges for violations must be paid promptly. Fine amounts are determined by the lending library.

How do I edit or cancel a request?

From the My Account section of OneSearch, click on the Requests tab.

How do I resubmit a cancelled request?

What does the “Status” of my request mean?

  • Information coming soon! (September 2025)

How long does it take for my ILL request to arrive?

Lending libraries (the ones that send us books and articles) generally provide a delivery time. You can see those times when you see the initial offer.

delivery times with interlibrary loan

These lending times are estimates, not guarantees. Staffing and shipping may impact delivery times. If you need an item by a particular date, please contact us to make sure that we can meet your deadline.

For the fastest service, submit your orders as early in the semester as possible.

How long may I keep ILL items?

The lending library, not Hollins, determines the length of the loan period, usually between two and six weeks.

May items be renewed?

The decision to allow a renewal is up to the lending library, not Hollins. Many libraries do not allow renewals. Borrowers are advised to plan their research and complete the use of ILL materials before the due date.

How can I request a renewal?

To request a renewal, log in to the My Account section of OneSearch and go to the Loans tab. If available, you will have the option to renew from this screen.

If your request is denied, you must return this item by the due date. You can place a new request for the same item. Failure to return this item by the due date can result in a lost item fee and a block placed on your University account.

If you have any questions about this request, please call (540) 362-7465 or email ill@hollins.edu

Materials can be returned to the library or the outside book return. If you are away from campus, return items by mail to:

Wyndham Robertson Library

Hollins University

7950 E. Campus Drive
Roanoke, VA 24020
Attn. Interlibrary Loan.

Contact Us

Contact the Inter-Library Services Coordinator:

Shawna Battle

ill@hollins.edu
(540) 362-6239

Copyright, Fair Use and ILL

Current copyright guidance advises against requesting more than 5 articles from one journal title from within the last 5 years. For this reason, patrons may be asked to limit requests from a particular journal title.

Items borrowed through interlibrary loan must be used in such a way that does not violate the principles of Fair Use.

Last updated: September 16, 2025 at 9:13 am​