Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary loan (ILL) is the loaning of items between libraries. ILL allows you to request books or articles you can’t find in the Benedictine University Library collection. We can almost always get you what you need at no cost to you.

Request Books – I-Share

Request Articles – ILLiad

General Information

  • Check the BenU Library catalog in BenSearch to see if we own the item you need. If we don’t have the item, request books and DVDs from other Illinois libraries via I-Share or request articles via ILLiad.
  • Approved borrowers include:
    • Current Benedictine students
    • Benedictine faculty and staff
    • Monks of St. Procopius Abbey
    • Sisters of Sacred Heart Convent
  • Requests are filled as quickly as possible. Items are subject to availability.
  • The Library does not ship items internationally.
  • You will receive email notification when your items are available. When you pick up items, bring your BenCard.
  • If your request hasn’t been filled within 10 days, contact the Interlibrary Loan Department.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to request books:
  • Use I-Share to find books not owned by the BenU Library.
  • 3-7 day delivery
  • Typical loan period: 28 days (up to 3 renewals)
  • Books not picked up within 2 weeks will be returned
What is I-Share?

I-Share is a group of 89 academic libraries in Illinois that share physical resources, including print books and DVDs. You can request to have items delivered to the Lisle or Mesa campus or your nearest I-Share library for pickup or delivered to your place of residence.

How do I borrow items from I-Share?

To place an I-Share request, follow the steps below:

  1. Sign in to BenSearch.
  2. Search All I-Share Libraries and click the item you’d like to borrow.
  3. Under How To Get It, click I-Share. Select your preferred Pickup Location and Pickup Institution and click Send Request.
  4. When your items are ready for pickup, you will receive an email notification. Please bring your BenCard when you pick up your items.
  5. Use your BenSearch Account to renew items or check the status of your requests.
What is my BenSearch username and password?

Your username is your ben.edu email address. Your password is the same password used to access MyBenU and D2L (not Engage).

How to request articles:
  • Use ILLiad to request articles not owned by the BenU Library and books not available in I-Share.
  • Articles are delivered electronically to your ILLiad account usually within 48-72 hours of request. Articles are accessible 5 times or for 15 days, whichever comes first.
  • Print books are delivered within 3-5 days.
What is ILLiad?

ILLiad is an interlibrary loan tool that allows you to request articles not owned by Benedictine University Library and request books not available through I-Share.

Details:

  • Articles are delivered electronically to your ILLiad account usually within 48-72 hours of request. Articles are accessible 5 times or for 15 days, whichever comes first.
  • Print books are delivered within 3-5 days.
How do I log in to my ILLiad account?
  1. Click Interlibrary Loan in the Library menu bar.
  2. Click the ILLiad button.
  3. Enter your BenU login. If you’re a new user, you’ll be prompted to set up your account.
How do I request an article?

From a Database

  • Enter your BenU network credentials. If you’re a new user, you’ll be prompted to set up your account.
  • ILLiad will automatically populate the article request form with the citation information. Submit the form.

From a Citation

  1. Log in to ILLiad. (See “How do I log in to my ILLiad account?” above)
  2. In the left column, under New Request, click Article.
  3. Fill out the required fields and submit the form.
Where can I check the status of my requests?
  1. Log in to ILLiad. (See “How do I log in to my ILLiad account?” above)
  2. In the left column, under View, click Electronically Received Articles.

Contact the Interlibrary Loan Department

Chat

Chat with a librarian during Library Hours. To start a session, use the chat box on this page or click the green “Chat with a Librarian” button whereever you find it on the Benedictine University Library website.

Phone

Lisle:

  • Circulation Desk: (630) 829-6050 or (877) 575-6050 (toll free)
  • Interlibrary Loan: (630) 829-6056

Mesa: (480) 878-7514

Email