About Interlibrary Services

Link+

Before you request materials from ILS, make sure you check Link+. Link+ is similar to ILS, but can lend materials more quickly.

More about Link+

Interlibrary Services borrows books or materials not available at Kennedy Library from other lending institutions. Made up of a network of thousands of libraries all around the world, ILS can often get you the research materials you need, even if they are hundreds of miles away.

Using ILS Services

Borrowing Privileges

Patron ILS Fees
Currently enrolled Cal Poly Students Free
Cal Poly Faculty Free
Cal Poly Staff Free
Cal Poly Emeriti Free
Cal Poly Alumni Alumni with active alumni cards may borrow 12 items per year; register your alumni card at the circulation desk.
Community Patrons $50.00 per year; limit 12 borrowed items per year

Before requesting materials from ILS, check Link+

Eligible Materials
  • Books
  • Journal articles
  • Dissertations
Ineligible Materials
  • Patents
  • Genealogical materials
  • Rare, old or very valuable books
  • Most new books
  • Whole issues of journals
  • Preprints or unpublished works
  • Reference books
  • Computer software

Using ILS

Check PolyCat to see if your request is in the Kennedy Library collection. If your material is not available from Kennedy Library, check Link+.

If your material is not available from Kennedy Library or Link+, request your materials through ILS.

Receiving Printed Materials

You will receive email notification when your materials are available for pick up. Simply go to the ILS department located in Circulation at the front of the library. You can also check the status of your requests through My PolyCat.

Receiving Electronic Materials

Borrowers can download requested journal articles or other electronic files for two weeks or 15 views. Articles you download are yours to keep.

Borrowing timeframes

The length of time you may borrow materials through ILS depends on the lending institution that is providing the material. Typically, users can borrow books for one to four weeks. Users can download electronic materials for download for two weeks or until the document has been viewed 15 times.

Returning Materials

Return materials to the ILS department or to the Circulation desk. Do not return materials in the outside library drop boxes.

Renewing Materials

Some materials are available for renewals. Your notification email as well as you My PolyCat account will indicate if the lending institution allows renewals. Remember to renew your materials at least two days before the due date. You are allowed one renewal every 14 days.

Fines

Patrons with late materials receive a $1.00 per day per item fine that is automatically added to the patron's record.

Need more information? Check out the ILS FAQ.