ILL Borrowing Policy & Instructions for VLS Library Users
Materials not available at the Library may be requested from other libraries and publisher vendors through interlibrary loan (ILL). The Library follows federal copyright law (Title 17 of the United States Code).
Who Can Borrow Through ILL
The Library's Access Services Department accepts interlibrary loan (ILL) borrowing requests from all current Vermont Law School (VLS) students, faculty, and staff.
- Non-residential students enrolled in online classes through VLS can submit requests for scanned book chapters and articles via ILLiad. If you need a physical item, such as a book, contact your local public library or other institution in the VLS lending network to request an ILL through them.
- VLS alumni and members of the public should submit borrowing requests through their local public library or other institution.
How to Create a Request Using ILLiad, the Online ILL System
- Sign in to ILLiad.
- After logging into ILLiad, submit a separate request for each item.
- Plan ahead. Journal articles generally take 3-4 days to receive, and books may take a week or longer. You will be notified by e-mail when your material is available.
Generally, articles and book chapters are sent electronically as a PDF to your ILLiad account. These are available through ILLiad for 30 days. These documents are for you, the borrower, to keep, and you are responsible for “fair use” (private study, scholarship, and research) of the reproduced material. Be sure to download and save your documents before the 30-day window has ended.
Pick up print documents and physical books at Library’s Information Desk. It is your responsibility to collect the material and return it to the Information Desk before the due date.
Restrictions
There's no limit on the number of ILL requests you can make, but please use sound judgment when requesting a large amount, as every one incurs a cost to the Library.
The Library is unable to borrow textbooks, casebooks, and other assigned reading materials for classes. Students are expected to rent or purchase their own textbooks.
The Library does not charge for borrowing books or articles. However, we reserve the right to review the cost of purchased articles, chapters, or lending fees from other institutions, and to suggest alternative sources.
Other Important Information
To renew a physical book borrowed from another library, submit a renewal request through ILLiad. Not all lenders offer renewals, and occasionally borrowing restrictions are specified. Borrowers are expected to honor these conditions and to make a renewal request before the loan return date. Please help us maintain excellent relationships with our lending libraries by returning all loans on time.
Not all materials are available to borrow. Some rare or out-of-print materials, or unpublished items such as white papers and dissertations, may be difficult to acquire.
Borrowers are responsible for lost, damaged, or un-returned materials and will be billed accordingly.
