Interlibrary Loan

If we do not own what you need, you can request it, and we will order it from another library for you through interlibrary loan, a free service that enables you to borrow articles, books, DVDs, and other media from libraries worldwide.

On this page:

How to Request Articles

While you can use our blank form, we recommend using Google Scholar to request articles because it fills in the item’s information automatically for you, which will ensure that your request is filled quickly and accurately.

  1. Go to Saint Mary’s Google Scholar.
  2. Search the article title in quotes (e.g., “Behavioral intervention research designing, evaluating, and implementing”).
  3. Select the Full Text Options – SMU link to the right or the Scholar Chevron below the article.
  4. Select the Sign In button.
  5. Enter your Saint Mary’s email and password.
  6. Select the Request Interlibrary Loan button.
  7. Scroll to the bottom of the form, and select Send Request.

How to Request Books, Chapters, and DVDs

While you can use our blank form, we recommend using WorldCat for requesting books and DVDs because it fills in the item’s information automatically for you, which will ensure that your request is filled quickly and accurately.

  1. Go to WorldCat (opens in new tab).
  2. Search the title of the item in quotes (e.g., “Grapes of Wrath”).
  3. Select the Request Item button.
  4. Select the Sign In button.
  5. Enter your Saint Mary’s email and password.
  6. Select the Request Interlibrary Loan button.
  7. Scroll to the bottom of the form, and select Send Request.

Arrival Time and Delivery

Articles & Chapters

Articles are emailed to your Saint Mary’s Gmail account within 1-2 business days on average. Some libraries only allow you to print and save their articles for 7 days, so check your Saint Mary’s Gmail account frequently after submitting article requests.

Books and DVDs

Books and DVDs arrive within 1-4 business days on average, and we will email you as soon as they arrive.

  • Winona Library Pick-Up
    Items will be held for you at the Circulation Desk. You will need to present your Saint Mary’s ID card to check them out.
  • Twin Cities Library Delivery
    Items will be mailed to your home for free. For more details, see our mailing services.

Restricted Items

  • Textbooks (see policy)
  • Entire issues of magazines or journals
  • Reference books
  • Rare books or original manuscripts

Please note that entertainment movies, popular music, and fiction titles that are in constant demand might be difficult to obtain.

Status of Request

You can check the status of your request online. Log into your library account, and select Requests.

Due Dates

Lending libraries determine due dates for interlibrary loan materials. You can extend due dates by renewing items. Typically, books are due back in 6 weeks.

Fees

Your requested items are processed free-of-charge except when out-of-state lending libraries charge fees that exceed $16, in which case we will get your permission before processing and charging your account for the request.

Overdues

See our overdue policies for details.

Guest Card Holders

All Saint Mary’s University faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students are eligible to use interlibrary loan, but guest card holders are not eligible for interlibrary loan services.

Staff Contact Information

Contact the librarian for your campus below.

Twin Cities and Online

Katriel Mclarn
Web Services & Discovery Librarian
lib@smumn.edu |  612-728-5108

Winona

Anna McGuire
Circulation Services Manager
ill@smumn.edu | 507-457-1561