Interlibrary Loan, also known as ILL, is a service for obtaining materials (books, media, and journal articles) that the PLU Library does not own.

Tipasa is the name of the software program used to create your account where you make, track, and retrieve your ILL requests.

Interlibrary loans notices will by default be sent to your email, but Tipasa has an extra option of text messages.

  1. Log into your Tipasa account
  2. Go to My account
  3. Go to Profile
  4. Fill in the Phone Number field
  5. Turn on “Send library account updates by text message
  6. Click Save Contact Information

  • ILL is available to PLU community members:
    • Currently registered PLU students
    • PLU faculty (regular, visiting, or emeriti)
    • PLU staff and administrators
  • ILL is not available to alumni

For others that are not considered to be part of the PLU borrowing community, please contact your current educational institution or local public library for interlibrary loan services.

  • Journal articles
  • Single book chapter
  • Books
  • Music scores
  • CDs
  • DVDs
  • Microfilm

E-Books are not available to borrow because of licensing agreements

Dissertations/Theses are often not available to borrow because frequently only one library owns it and they might not let dissertations leave their library.  There are some universities who publish their dissertations digitally which are available freely online.

Titles on the textbook list or on course reserve are not requested by ILL for both copyright and practical reasons.  Requesting many copies of the same title can be a violation of Fair Use.  ILL requests will likely not arrive by the beginning of the term, nor will they likely be available for the entire term.  These titles are also more likely to be on other libraries’ course reserves, meaning they are not going to lend them to us because their own students are using them.

ILL is free to you.  The PLU library covers the cost of obtaining library items and shipping materials as well as any associated copyright fees.

The PLU Library is a member of a number of consortia, both local and national, that agree to share materials.

Ways to submit a request:

  1. Through a direct link when searching the library collection or databases (EBSCOHost, ProQuest, etc.)—the link will automatically fill in the form with the article/book information.
  2. Submit a request using the request form in your Tipasa account.  Please give us a complete citation (title, author, date, journal, pages).  

Remember to check the library collection to see if PLU owns or has access to the item before requesting materials.

On average:

  • Articles arrive in 2-5 business days.
  • Books and other “loan-able” materials arrive in business 7-10 days.

If you no longer want an item you requested, please contact the ILL office at ill@plu.edu or 253-535-7508 to let us know so we can cancel it.

  • Articles need to be picked up within 14 days and saved or printed. After that they are deleted from the server.
  • Unclaimed ILL books are returned to the lender after 14 days. NOTE: If you repeatedly request items and do not pick them up, your ILL privileges may be restricted.

  • Most articles are delivered electronically to your Tipasa account or your PLU e-mail as PDF files.

Books and media can be picked up from the holds/request shelf across the foyer from the circulation desk.  You must check these items out at the front desk.

  • Items may be kept approximately 2-4 weeks. The lending library sets the date.
  • Renewing an item can extend the time to another 2 weeks but must be done before the due date.

Renewals can be requested through your Tipasa account or by contacting the ILL office at ill@plu.edu or 253-535-7508.

There are no fines from PLU.  However, if PLU receives a bill from the lending library (because the book is long overdue, lost or damaged), the cost will be added to the patron’s library account.  There are no refunds.

Libraries generally renew items once for 2 weeks, but it is up to the lending library to decide how much time to give.   Libraries can deny a renewal and may recall the item as well.

To request a renewal:

  • Log into your Tipasa account
  • Click the “Renew request” button underneath the due date
  • If there is no such button, renewals are not allowed, but you can request another copy from a different library by clicking the “Request again” button

Once the lending library has reviewed the renewal request, you will receive an email that they approved it or denied it.  If it is approved, the email will give you the new due date.

If there are problems renewing an item, please contact the ILL office at ill@plu.edu or 253-535-7508.

  • ILL borrowing will be blocked once an ILL book is more than 14 days overdue.
  • The block will be removed once the overdue material is returned.
  • If PLU receives an invoice from the lending library for the replacement of overdue material, those fees will be passed along to the patron.  There are no refunds.

Most libraries do not borrow and lend textbooks. Also, items can not be kept for an entire term.

ILL is available to provide supplementary materials you might need for class-related research, but which are not owned by the PLU library.  Purchasing textbooks and other class-required books is viewed as a normal part of college expenses.

There are a few common reasons your request may be cancelled:

  • Recently published books are too new and libraries want to keep new acquisitions for their local patrons
  • Rare, very old books, or archival materials are usually non-circulating, maybe they aren’t allowed to leave their library
  • Dissertations and theses are often held only one institution and are non-circulating.  However, some universities are publishing these online; check the university’s website.
  • E-books are not shared due to licensing agreements
  • Errors in the citation

If you have questions, please contact the ILL office at ill@plu.edu or 253-535-7508.

  • Email: ill@plu.edu (email will get a quicker response)
  • Phone: 253-535-7508

We are located in PLU’s Mortvedt Library at the front desk.