Interlibrary Loan Services

Getting Started

An instructional video, Getting Books & Articles from Emerson Library, provides additional information on this topic. A complete list of the videos in our Passports Skills Video Series, as well as system requirements for playing these presentations, is also available.

About Interlibrary Loan

What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

Through our Interlibrary Loan Service, research materials which are not available through the Eden-Webster Library System or a MOBIUS library may be obtained for current students, faculty, or staff of Webster University and Eden Theological Seminary. In general, the lending library will make copies of journal articles requested on ILL. These become the patron's property. Books requested on ILL can usually be checked out to current students, faculty and staff for two weeks.

How Long Does It Take For Materials to Arrive?

• Periodical articles (copies): 5 to 7 days
• Books: Usually 10 working days
• While we are able to obtain most of the material requested within this time frame, delivery cannot be guaranteed.

What Can Be Borrowed Through ILL?

• Articles from periodicals which the Eden-Webster Library System does not own or have access to through an online database.
  • Search the Journal/Magazine/Newspaper list to see a list of periodicals that are owned or can be accessed online.
• Books not owned by Eden or Webster or any other MOBIUS library.
  • Search the MOBIUS catalog now. If the book is available on MOBIUS, use the "Request this Item" link to initiate your request.
• Titles which the library owns but are lost, missing, or at the bindery.
• Books published after 1870.
• Printed materials (i.e. you may not borrow non-print media like videotapes).
• Complete issues of a periodical can not be borrowed.

What Types of Materials May Be Difficult and, therefore, take Longer to Obtain?

• Reference or rare books.
• Conference and working papers.
• Dissertations.

What Are the Steps For Pick Up and Return of Materials?

• Requests should include an acceptance of copyright restrictions.
• We attempt to notify by e-mail as each ILL item arrives so please supply current contact information on each request.
• You may call the Circulation Desk at 314.968.6952 to inquire if your materials have arrived.
• You may login at http://www.ariel.webster.edu at anytime to see if an article has been posted for you.
• Articles that arrive electronically will be posted to a secure area of our website and instructions on how to retrieve the article will be sent by email.
• Print materials are picked up, and books returned, at the Circulation Desk.
• Please bring a valid ID with you when picking up your ILL items.
• If you fail to return ILL books on time, you may lose your interlibrary loan privileges.
• Patrons are responsible for replacment costs and fines for any ILL materials

How Can Books Be Renewed?

• The lending library determines the lending period for books and if they may be renewed.
• To request a renewal, call the ILL office or the Circulation Desk three days before the due date.
• The lending library may or may not grant a renewal.

What Is the Cost of Interlibrary Loans?

All costs of ILL are subsidized by the Eden-Webster Library System so it's free for eligible patrons!.

Frequently Asked Questions