Question

Interlibrary Loans (ILL) & Prospector

Answered By: Jeffrey Houchin
Last Updated: Aug 28, 2023     Views: 83

If the McDermott Library doesn't own or have access to an item, there are a few ways to borrow items from other libraries:

Using the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service, a patron may borrow an item from another library when it isn't owned or available through the McDermott Library.  We request the loan from the other library on behalf of the patron and notify the patron when the item arrives.  The check out and renewal times vary depending on the library who loans the item.  NOTE:  It usually takes 2-3 business days to get an Article/Journal and 7-10 business days to get a Book using this process.

Another library borrowing service, Prospector, allows patrons to borrow from a unified catalog of academic, public and special libraries located in Colorado and Wyoming.  Through Prospector there is access to over 30 million books and other materials (subject to availability).  Items borrowed from Prospector may be checked-out up to 6 weeks with no renewal and a/v media items borrowed from Prospector can be checked-out for 1 week with no renewal.  The McDermott Library isn't allowed to request extension of the Due Date for borrowed Prospector items, so these items must be returned to the library by the due date.  NOTE:  It usually takes 3-5 business days to get items through Prospector. 

Prospector also provides access to Steaming Interlibrary Loan Video Resources (SILLVR):  https://www.coalliance.org/streaming-interlibrary-loan-video-resources-sillvr

For more information and to request an ILL or an item through Prospector, start at our Services Library Guide.  Requests can also be submitted on the library's webpage under the Quick Links box by clicking on Interlibrary Loan or Prospector.  Questions about ILL or Prospector?  Please visit the library's Information Service Desk or contact the Interlibrary Loan Office POC:  Timothy Madigar, 333-2461.