What Should I Do If You Don't Have the Book That I Need?
Policy Covering Interlibrary Loan for Books
The Shapiro Library is able to fill the majority of requests we receive for books through Interlibrary Loan. The following material cannot normally be borrowed and these types of requests will be canceled as we are unable to obtain them:
- reference books (encyclopedia, thesaurus, etc.)
- rare or valuable materials such as manuscripts
- audiovisual material
- dissertations.
The library may fulfill your book request with an eBook if available. If you have a preference for electronic or print, please include the format you prefer in the Notes field.
Off-campus Interlibrary Loan book service is limited to off-campus SNHU students, faculty, and staff (see this guide's Off-Campus Library Services page regarding eligibility for off-campus status). Books will not be shipped to addresses outside the U.S.
- You need to plan approximately 10 to 16 days in advance to access books through Interlibrary Loan.
- Interlibrary Loan requests for books are limited to 5 books per person at any one time.
The loan period for borrowed books is determined by the lending library. To allow for processing and shipping time returned books must be received by the Shapiro Library no later than the date specified on the white Interlibrary Loan bookmark accompanying the book. Please make any renewal requests before the book is due from within your ILL account or by contacting ill@snhu.edu. Renewals are not automatic and depend upon the lending library policy. No renewal requests will be made for overdue books.
Book requests must be made using the Interlibrary Loan This link opens in a new window service link located on the Library's web page. Shapiro Library pays shipping charges, so there will be a prepaid FedEx return shipping label included with your book. Books should be returned securely packaged in a box or padded envelope.
Please check your SNHU email daily until your request is returned to Shapiro Library in case our staff need to contact you.
The success of Interlibrary Loan is dependent on the courtesy and cooperation of libraries and patrons. Failure to return books promptly and in good condition will result in the suspension of Interlibrary Loan borrowing privileges.
Access our full Interlibrary Loan policy.
WorldCat
WorldCat This link opens in a new window is a database of over 1.5 billion items located in over 10,000 libraries.
To request an item, click on its title in the search results list to bring up its Detailed Record. Click the Request Item through the Interlibrary Loan button, fill in the requested information and click "Submit."
Each request must include the following message in the “Comments" box at the bottom of the form:
I am an Off-Campus Student.
NOTE: This is currently not needed due to COVID-19 and all students being online.
