Interlibrary Loan Borrowing FAQ

What is Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary Loan is a free service for valid Cornell staff, faculty and students. You can request Mann Library to borrow items (books, articles, media, microfiche, etc) from other institutions when none of the Cornell Libraries own the items you need for your research.

Who is eligible for interlibrary services?

Any registered student, current faculty or staff with a patron record in Voyager, Cornell Library's database, has interlibrary privileges. If you are part of the Cornell community but away from campus, we may have just the right service for you. Check out Mann at Large services.

How do I request an interlibrary loan?

Patrons submit requests on the web using the Interlibrary Loan website. Please choose Mann Library as your ILL Processing Unit while registering.

I am working for a professor. How do I make requests on somebody else's behalf?

This is a two step process:

Step 1: Ask your supervisor to set you up as a proxy. Only staff or faculty can authorize a proxy. If you are a working staff or faculty member, please e-mail Mann Circulation and provide the following information:

a. Supervisor (Staff /Faculty) name and ID number
b. the student/assistant's name and student ID number
c. an expiration date (if not provided, the default is one year.)

Step 2: Create an ILL account at the Interlibrary Loan site with the project name or supervisor's name and NOT your personal name. We assume that you will have access to the password in order to make requests on somebody else's behalf.

How do I track my requests?

All requests can be tracked online on the same site used to make requests.

a. Logon to Interlibrary Loan. 
b. Click on "Review All Requests" and choose among various options.

If you have any questions about the status of your requests, please email mann_ill@cornell.edu.

What should I do if I forget my username and/or password?

If you have registered with Mann ILS and have forgotten your password, please send an e-mail to mann_ill@cornell.edu. If you have registered with some other ILL unit on campus, check here for contact information.

How do I request a renewal on ILL loans?

Renewals are not guaranteed but we will try our best to obtain a renewal for ILL items.

a. To request a renewal on an interlibrary loan item, go to the ILL webpage and logon.

b. Choose the "Review All Requests" button at the top of the page.

c. Select "View/Renew Checked Out Items" and submit the item that you want renewed.

What are the possible fines for late return of ILL materials?

Patrons receive three overdue notices over a period of 10 days from the due date. After 10 days, your ILLiad account is blocked which means you can no longer submit requests. Within 5 business days your circulation account will show a fine of $100.00.

$75.00 is for replacement cost and $25.00 is a late fine. If the item is returned in the future and remains in good condition, the $75.00 fine is waived. The $25.00 late fine is non-negotiable and needs to be paid at Mann circulation desk.

What are the restrictions on ILL loans?

Loans obtained through ILL do not belong to Cornell and run the risk of getting misplaced. In order to avoid such situations, ILL requires the following:

a. ILL items must be picked up and dropped off at the circulation desk of your ILL unit.

b. Do not return in the drop box.

c. No more than two renewals are permitted on ILL loans.

d. Do not take ILL books out-of-town.

e. When you pick up the book, read the book band carefully for instructions.