Inter Library Loans (ILL) at NUI Galway Library

Did you know the Library operates an Inter-Library Loans service? This means that researchers and students can borrow books or journal articles not held in the library collection from other libraries at national and international level!

All academic staff, research masters and PhD candidates can automatically apply for an inter-library loan free of charge. Uniquely amongst Irish Universities, NUI Galway does not charge for this service. Taught masters can apply for a restricted number of ILLs and undergraduates may apply to the Academic Skills service for approval to submit an ILL request. All undergraduates have to do is email academicskills@nuigalway.ie and a decision will be taken whether to put the request forward for an application. This could be particularly useful for your final year dissertation.

Articles are generally supplied within 24 hours and in most cases can be sent directly to your email address, though in some cases you will be required to collect the item from the circulation desk after a notification is sent to your email address.

The library also has a policy of adding any ILL book request as an ebook to collections, where this is available. An ebook becomes active in 24 hours, which means if it can be purchased in E format, you will have speedy access.

Where a book is not available as an ebook, if the item is difficult to acquire from a partner library it can take up to six weeks to arrive. You will be notified to your NUIGalway email address when your item arrives and it can be collected from the circulation desk during library opening hours.

The process for applying for an ILL by researchers and academic staff couldn’t be easier.All you have to do is sign in to yourLibrary Account on the Library website, search the catalogue, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, make your application with a few simple clicks.