Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

ILL Policies | ILL Instructions | Information for Libraries

 ILL Policies 

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service that allows us to share resources with other libraries. Registered patrons of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) may request materials from other libraries through ILL. 

Registration to Request Materials

Only patrons who have registered or renewed a TSLAC library account with proof of Texas residency are eligible to place ILL requests. All library accounts must be renewed annually.

To register or renew a library account, patrons must present a current, unexpired state-issued photo ID showing proof of Texas residency at our library in Austin, Texas during our public service hours. After confirming eligibility, staff will provide instructions for registering or renewing an account prior to granting borrowing privileges and providing ILL account login information.

Please allow about 10 minutes to complete this process. Our staff are happy to assist you with placing your ILL request during your visit.

Requests

  • Patrons are limited to no more than 5 requests at a time.
  • Patrons are limited to no more than 5 reels of microfilm at a time.
  • Patrons are responsible for all ILL items checked out to their library account. Lost or damaged items will be billed to the patron at the discretion of the lending library.
  • Patrons must have a working email address. This is the primary method through which staff will contact patrons regarding their requests.
  • ILL requests take two to six weeks to arrive.
  • We cannot guarantee that a lending library will loan an item.

Renewals

  • Renewals are at the discretion of the lending library and must be placed before the due date.

Conditionals

Occasionally a lending library will loan a title if we agree to certain conditions, or a library will offer an alternative to the original delivery method. TSLAC staff will default to the information provided at the time of the request when responding to lending library conditionals.

  • Consider adding the following to the Patron Instructions field when placing your request:
    • In-Library Use Only: Will you accept an item that cannot be taken outside the library?
    • Copies: Will you accept copies if a lending library cannot send the hard copy? If so, specify page numbers or sections (ex: index, chapter 1).

Picking up your ILL requests

  • Items must be picked up from the Reference Desk. Lock any restricted items in a locker before entering the Reference Reading Room.
  • Patrons must present a photo ID in the form of a current state-issued ID or state employee ID.
  • Items must be picked up by the requester and not by a proxy (including a family member, friend, coworker, or courier).

Contacting TSLAC regarding your ILL request

  • Email ill@tsl.texas.gov or call the Reference Desk at 512-463-5455. Please refer to the title and request numbers.

return to top

 ILL Instructions 

Submit an ILL request

  1. First check the TSLAC online catalog (www.tsl.texas.gov/catalog). If the item is not available proceed to step 2.
  2. Go to texasgroup.worldcat.org.
  3. Search for material in the Texas Group Catalog using the basic default search or the advanced search. If you do not find the title in a Texas Group catalog search, select Libraries Worldwide from the drop-down menu.
    • Article Requests - Search by the title of the journal.
  4. When you decide on a specific record, click on the title.
  5. Scroll down and click on the Request Item button.
  6. Choose Texas State Library and Archives Commission as your home library from the resulting drop-down list.
  7. Click Continue and log in with your library account number and PIN. Your library account number is provided to you on your Registration Card. Your default PIN is the last 4 digits of your driver’s license.
  8. On the Request this item screen, complete as many fields as possible.
    • Article Requests - Complete as many fields as possible, especially the article title, author, volume, and pages fields.
    • Patron Instructions field - Include details about your request here. TSLAC Staff will default to the information provided in the Patron Instructions field when responding to lending library conditionals. At a minimum, consider adding the following:
      • In-Library Use Only: Will you accept an item that cannot be taken outside the library?
      • Copies: Will you accept copies if a lending library cannot send the hard copy? If so specify page numbers or sections (ex: index, chapter 1).
  9. Click Continue to submit your request. You will be notified by email in two 2-6 weeks when the item arrives.

return to top

Check the status of your ILL request

After you submit your request, the Texas Group Catalog login will provide information regarding where your request stands in the ILL process.

Texas Group Catalog:

  1. Go to texasgroup.worldcat.org
  2. Hover over the Texas Group Catalog in the top left corner of the screen and click on My Requests
  3. Search and select Texas State Library and Archives Commission as your library
  4. Enter your library card number and PIN

Common Statuses

PENDING – The request is waiting to be accepted by a lending library.
SHIPPED – The item is in transit from the lending library.
RECEIVED – Your request is ready for pick-up.
RETURNED – The item is in transit to the lending library.
RENEWAL REQUESTED – A renewal request has been submitted to the lending library.

Check the due date of your ILL request

Once the request is received, login into your TSLAC library account to view a list of all items currently checked out to your library account and item due dates.

TSLAC Library Account:

  1. Go to www.tsl.texas.gov/catalog
  2. Click on My Account and select Review My Account
  3. Enter your User ID (card number that starts with “26237…”) or Alt ID (driver’s license)
  4. Enter your PIN (defaulted to the last 4 digits of your driver’s license)

Request a renewal

Send an email to ill@tsl.texas.gov or call 512-463-5455 to request a renewal. Include the request number. If you do not receive an updated due date, adhere to the original due date as indicated on the item and on your library account.

return to top

 Information for Libraries 

Though not a comprehensive list, keep in mind the following items are non-circulating:

  • Archival materials
  • Paper/archival editions of newspapers
  • Materials housed at the Sam Houston Regional Library in Liberty, TX
  • Materials owned by the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality
  • The Texas State Library and Archives Commission reserves the right to refuse the loan of items in poor or fragile condition.

We prefer to receive requests via OCLC (Worldcat Resource Sharing, ILLiad, Navigator, etc.). If any problems are encountered, please send an e-mail request to the Interlibrary Loan staff with pertinent item information and the shipping address.

The Information Services department of the Archives & Information Services division manages the Interlibrary Loan program and can be reached by email at ill@tsl.texas.gov or by phone at 512-463-5455.

return to top

Page last modified: January 11, 2023