Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Resources

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Resources

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Resources

General Information

MnPALS libraries use Alma interlibrary loan to exchange requests. MnPALS libraries with USPS/UPS delivery request and fill requests for Minitex. Minitex requests from other libraries for USPS/UPS libraries and will request from USPS/UPS libraries. MnPALS libraries with Minitex Courier delivery may fill requests directly with other courier delivery libraries and send requests to Minitex. Minitex fills requests as MNU University of Minnesota Twin Cities and MII Minitex. 

Borrowing Requests Your patron's requests with other libraries

Requests for returnables (books, dvds)

  1. Patron Record and Resource Sharing library- Institutions with multiple libraries 
  2. How to create a Returnable or Article request- Staff create a request for a patron
  3. Receive a request- An item has arrived at your library for a patron
  4. Return a borrowing request- Patron has brought the item back to your library how to update to send the item back to the lending library

Requests for copies (articles, book chapters)

  1. Ship Item Digitally- Digital delivery Borrowing and Lending Library- Article and book chapter requests can be sent directly to a patron, how to troubleshoot borrowing requests
  2. Ready to be Sent-Article or returnable borrowing request with a status of Ready to be sent may be available or owned by your library. The request is not at the lending library.



Lending Requests Requests from other libraries for items or articles at your library

Requests for returnables (books, dvds)

  1. Ship a Returnable Request- Update a request to show borrowing library item is on its way and to show it is not available at your library
  2. Lending "Print Slip" Routing or Lending Slip- Slip used in Minitex Courier or for USPS/UPS to Minitex
  3. Reject (unfill) a request- When your library can't supply a physical or article request
  4. Renew Requests- Renew Yes or Renew No- Borrowing library patron or library has requested a renewal how to update
  5. Check-in (Close) a request- Returnable item is back at your library

Requests for copies (articles, book chapters)

  1. Ship Item Digitally- Digital delivery Borrowing and Lending Library-How to use Alma Ship item digitally to send an article or book chapter

Borrowing and Lending Requests

Workflow for Borrowing and Lending Requests

  1. Billing for Lost Interlibrary Loan Items- When an item is lost how borrowing and lending library may update
  2. Search for Lending or Borrowing requests- How to find borrowing or lending requests
  3. Minitex Courtesy Return form- For libraries with Minitex Courier delivery this form can be used to send items back to other libraries with Minitex Courier delivery

Configuration for Interlibrary loan

  1. Facet Customization- How to customize the facet/status display
  2. Borrowing and Lending Renewal Policy- Alma configuration for renewals
  3. Staff not able to see interlibrary loan requests- Staff member can't see borrowing or lending requests
  4. How to close your library for borrowing or lending requests- Library will be closed for a period of time
  5. Rota and Rota Assignment Rule- Information about rotas and how to assign rotas
  6. Minitex ILL Policy Database- The Minitex ILL Policy Database allows libraries to share contact information and information on collections and policies.

ILL Community of Interest

  1. ILL Community of Interest (Support Center login required)- The Interlibrary Loan Community of Interest holds meetings to discuss ILL issues. Recordings of the sessions are available on this page.



    • Related Articles

    • MnPALS Interlibrary Loan Policy Revised in 2024

      The MnPALS Interlibrary Loan Policy was revised and approved in 2024. This is a link to the policy 2024-10-08 Policy and Procedure Statement on Interlibrary Loan by MnPALS Libraries (1)

    • ILL Renew Borrowing and Lending Policy

      Introduction When a borrowing request has been loaned to the patron, the patron may be allowed to request a renewal. The borrowing library controls if the patron has the option to renew an ILL request and can set a maximum renewal period. The lending ...

    • Borrowing Return an ILL request

      Borrowing Library Return an item After a patron brings back their interlibrary loan back to the library, staff will need to Return the item to the lending library. Item Loaned to the patron When the patron brings the item back, staff can use ...

    • Minitex ILL Policy Database

      The Minitex has an ILL Policy Database that allows libraries to share information about their collections, policies and contact information, The database can be found here ILL Policy Database | Minitex (umn.edu). If you need assistance adding or ...

    • Finding an item's loan history

      From the Item: To view an item's loan history: Locate the physical item using the physical item search Click on the hyperlinked barcode or Select the Edit item button to go to the physical item editor Select the history tab Update the report type to ...