Interlibrary Loan

ILL is the process by which a library requests material from, or supplies material to, another library. In addition to requesting materials for library users from other libraries, Humber Libraries supplies library materials to other libraries. The supplying library sets the parameters and rules of the loan.

The ILL team is unable to request or supply current editions of textbooks or other required course materials.

ILL requests fall under copyright guidelines. Research related to outside employment or commercial pursuits is not supported.

Humber’s interlibrary loans will conform to the Canadian Copyright Act, Section 29: Fair Dealing. This means that you may request a single copy of one article from a journal issue, one chapter from a book, or more than that provided that the total number of pages does not exceed 10% of the book or journal issue. If your request exceeds the limit, you will be advised that your request cannot be filled.

For more information on Copyright, please see Humber's Fair Dealing Policy.

Library eResources are subject to vendor licences which dictate uses permitted by ILL services.

If you request a copy of a book chapter or an article, you will be sent a web link to an electronic copy, with instructions for retrieving it.

If you request a book from another library, please select North or Lakeshore campus as your pick-up location. You will be notified via email when your ILL loans are ready to pick up.

To pick up your material, please bring your Humber ID card or government issued photo ID.

The supplying library decides the length of the loan period for items that you borrow through ILL, and if renewals are allowed.

You are responsible to return the book on time (on the specified due date or before). Interlibrary loans should be returned to a circulation desk at North or Lakeshore Library. After hours, you may access the library’s external book drops.

Only requests from other libraries will be processed. For individual research needs, please contact your local library.

ILL Symbols

• OTHC (Library and Archives Canada)
• OTHCL (Library and Archives Canada)
• H9Z (OCLC)

Your Requests 

WorldShare Libraries 

• Send your request through the WorldShare ILL portal.

Libraries outside WorldShare

• Fill in the Interlibrary Loan form.
• Email us at illo@humber.ca.

We will supply

• Humber books
• Copies of a chapter from a book or eBook
• Copies of the articles from journals and magazines

We are unable to supply: 

• Textbooks
• Books on course reserve
• Reference material
• Audio and visual materials
• Periodicals
• Archival items

Humber Libraries does not loan books outside of Canada.

All photocopying must conform to the Canadian Copyright Act, Section 29: Fair Dealing.

Library eResources are subject to vendor licences which dictate uses permitted by ILL services.

Loan Periods 

• 2 weeks upon arrival date of the book  
• For a renewal, please contact us at illo@humber.ca 

Charges 

Loans:

• Free to our consortia/partner libraries  
• Free for up to 3 items for non-partner libraries 

Copies:

• Free to our consortia/partner libraries   
• 1-10 items $5.00 for non-partner libraries 
• 11-30 items $15.00 for non-partner libraries 

Lost or damaged items:

• Actual replacement cost in Canadian dollars 

What is an Interlibrary Loan?
If materials required by students, faculty or staff are not available through the Humber Libraries, the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service can request them from other libraries. ILL is the process by which a library requests material from, or supplies material to, another library. 

NOTE: Copies are made available solely for use by current student, faculty or staff for research, private study, review or criticism. Any other use may be an infringement of copyright law if done without securing the permission of the copyright owner. 

Who can request an Interlibrary Loan?
The use of the Interlibrary Loan service is limited to current Humber College students, faculty and staff members. If you are not currently affiliated with Humber College, please try your local public library. 

Alumni, Retiree & Community Borrowers
Alumni, community borrowers, and other external borrowers should contact their local public library for Interlibrary Loan services. 

How long does it take? 
This depends on the availability of the item(s) at other libraries. Articles can take 1-2 days at a minimum, books at least 7 days. In some cases, it can be longer. Unique or difficult-to-find items may take longer. 

What can be borrowed? What type of material can be requested? 
Almost any type of material is available by ILL provided the lending/supplying library will loan it, or a photocopy can be made of it without infringing on copyright laws or licensing agreements. This includes books, journal and newspaper articles and government publications.  

What cannot be borrowed? What type of material will not be supplied? 
Some materials are usually not available through ILL, such as textbooks, reference materials, course reserve materials, DVDs, CDs, music scores, archival materials, streaming videos, entire eBooks, and entire journal issues or volumes.  

Materials already owned by Humber Libraries unless they are declared lost or missing.

Materials available at Humber Libraries in an alternate format. 

What are the restrictions on Interlibrary Loan material? 
The Interlibrary Loan service is bound by Canadian copyright law. Humber’s ILL conforms to the Canadian Copyright Act, Section 29: Fair Dealing. This means you may request a single copy of one article from a journal issue, one chapter from a book, or more provided the total number of pages does not exceed 10% of the book or journal issue. If your request exceeds the limit, you will be advised that your request cannot be filled. For more information on Copyright, please see Humber's Fair Dealing Policy. 

Library eResources are subject to vendor licences which dictate permitted uses for ILL services. 

Due dates and renewal options are set by the lending/supplying library. 

Research related to outside employment or commercial pursuits is not supported. 

Is there a charge for ordering an ILL? 
There is no charge for current Humber College students, faculty and staff. It's a service funded by the library to increase your access to a wealth of resources beyond the physical and electronic collections of Humber Libraries.    

What does “Needed by” on the request form mean? 
The last possible date you require the item. This information allows us to process your request by the time you need it. If, for any reason, the request cannot be completed in the required time, we will inform you as soon as possible. 

How do I inquire about the status of a request? 
Please email us at illo@humber.ca . 

How will I know my ILL request has arrived and is ready for pickup? 
You will be notified by email when your material is available.  

Print or hard copy materials are held for pickup at the library circulation desk (at North or Lakeshore campus) specified at the time of the request. Electronic materials are made available via a web link within the email notification you receive. Access and availability to electronic copies is controlled by copyright legislation. 

How do I pick up my material? 
Some material is supplied electronically within the email notification you receive. Otherwise present your Humber ID card or government issued photo ID at your chosen pickup location (library circulation desk at North or Lakeshore campus) that was specified at the time of request.  

What pickup locations are available? 
When filling out ILL request form you may choose the North or Lakeshore Library as a pickup location.  

How long can I use the borrowed material?
The lending/supplying library sets the loan period length. Loan periods for physical items are generally two weeks, from the date the item is received. There are occasions when the loan period may be shorter, longer or there may be the possibility of a renewal.  

How can I check the due date on my request? 
The due date will be listed on the book band/wrap, which is attached to each loan. Please respect the due date and return the material promptly on the specified due date or before. Interlibrary loans should be returned to the circulation desk at either the North or Lakeshore Library. After hours you may access the library’s external book drops. 

Can I renew ILLs?  
Items are generally loaned for two weeks. Renewals depend on the lending/supplying library. For a renewal, please contact us at illo@humber.ca a few days in advance of the due date. 

Where can I return my ILL? 
Interlibrary loans should be returned to the circulation desk at either the North or Lakeshore Library. After hours you may access the library’s external book drops. 

What if I lose or damage my ILL? 
Borrowers are responsible for lost or damaged Interlibrary Loan materials. Replacement costs are specified by lending/supplying library. 

How can I cancel my request? 
Please contact us at illo@humber.ca 

Can I order material that appears in the library catalogue?
Only material which is unavailable at Humber Libraries may be requested through ILL. You may also request items that are labelled as missing. 

Items which are found in the library catalogue, including textbooks, course reserves, reference, and archival materials are considered available even when out on loan. When an item is out on loan, you may place a hold on it. 

Email us at illo@humber.ca