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Interlibrary Loans: ILL Policy & FAQs

Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery at MTA Libraries

Library Login Info

Library Databases:

  • Use your MtA username & password (same as Connect and your email)

Library Account & Novanet

  • Use your MtA email address & same password as for Connect and your email

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

  • Login = MtA ID #
  • Password = 4 digit PIN

Don't know your ID or PIN? Have questions? Email nbsam@mta.ca 

ILL Policy

Eligible users:   Current MtA students and staff, current and retired faculty, MtA Alumni, and registered community borrowers. Users with overdue loans and outstanding fees/fines may be blocked.

What can be ILLed?   Most research materials. Ebooks cannot be borrowed (a chapter copy or a loan of the print version may be possible).

Copy requests:  Must follow the Fair Dealing exception of the Canadian Copyright Act

Notifications:   Emailed to your MtA or registered account. Copies will be emailed as a downloadable file. Loans must be picked up at the R.P. Bell Library within 10 days. 

Loan periods and usage restrictions:   Set by the supplying library but typically 3 to 6 weeks. Any restrictions imposed by the lending library must be honoured (eg. “library use only”).

Renewals:   Renewals must be requested through MtA ILL (only the supplying library can approve a renewal).

Returns:   Must be returned on or before the due date to the R.P. Bell Library.

Fees & fines:   No cost for requests (fees are subsidised by MtA Libraries). Lost or damaged items will be charged back to the user at the cost determined by the supplier.

ILL FAQs

Where can I get ILL help?   See our how-to guide, contact ILL, or contact the library 

How do I place requests?   Place requests using the ILL request form or while you are searching Novanet or library databases

What can I request on ILL?   ILL will try to borrow any material another library is willing to supply. 

Some materials can be more difficult to borrow or take longer, but we will try to borrow:

  • Loans of journal issues
  • Rare, old, valuable, and reference materials
  • Textbooks and required course readings
  • DVDs, CDs, microfilm/fiche, and other audiovisual formats
  • Recently published books

How long does it take?   Copies typically arrive in 1 to 3 business days, loans in 1 to 2 weeks. Many factors affect delivery time (eg. how many libraries we try, how fast they respond). Check your MtA email for delivery and pickup notices.

NOTE: Covid-19 may significantly impact delivery times for loans and copies from print items. 

How do I get my ILL item?   Copies can be downloaded from an emailed link. Loans must be picked up at the R.P. Bell Library.

What if I want multiple articles/chapters from one item?   Copyright limits systematic copying. If more than a short excerpt (eg. an article from an issue, a chapter from a book) is requested we will suggest a loan or ask that you select your priority copy.

Why can't I log in to the ILL request form?   Usual reasons include:

  • Overdue books and/or unpaid fines: check your account for overdue and that all of your fines have been paid.
  • Wrong user ID / PIN: use your Student or Employee ID number (including the initial zeros) and your 4 digit Library PIN. 
  • Your library account may have expired

To check the status of your library account: contact Access Services circ@mta.ca | 506-364-2568

To get your login info and reset your PIN: contact ILL nbsam@mta.ca | 506-364-2212.

Can I get ILLs renewed?   Renewals are at the discretion of the supplying library; some never allow renewals, others may, depending on the item. Request renewals by emailing ILL before the item is due to allow time for communicating with the supplying library. 

What does recall mean?   A recalled ILL means the supplying library needs the item; we must return it immediately. If your ILL is recalled and you are not finished with it, return it and place a new request for the item. We will try to find a different library to supply.