Can't find the title you're looking for? Request books, articles, and more from other libraries.

What is Interlibrary Loan?

If items are required by students, faculty, or staff for university-related work are not available through the library catalogue, the MacEwan Library Interlibrary Loans (ILL) service can request them from other libraries around the world. You can submit your request in several ways: 

  1. Search the library catalogue and choose "Beyond MacEwan" in the drop-down menu.
  2. Submit requests using this form.

Please send an email to ill@macewan.ca if you have questions, suggestions, or concerns.

NOTE: Copies are made available solely for use by a student, faculty member, or staff for research, private study, review, or criticism. Any other use may be an infringement of copyright if done without securing the permission of the copyright owner.

In addition, please note that requests will be fulfilled on a case-by-case basis. Availability of materials is dependent on which libraries are allowing interlibrary loans for their items.

Obtaining Materials from the University of Alberta

In our previous library search system, it was easy to see which titles were at the University of Alberta Libraries or other libraries using the same system. With our new search system, you cannot see which libraries have particular titles. You may know the item is at the University of Alberta, but that doesn't guarantee we'll get the books from them.

Why don't books come from the University of Alberta anymore?

Libraries that use our new system, Rapido, can join a resource-sharing group or "pod." When libraries are in the same pod as us (for example, the University of Calgary), requests automatically go to them without human intervention. When libraries also use Rapido and are further away (for example, the University of Toronto), they will also automatically get the request.

Does the University of Alberta use the same system as us?

Yes and no. They use the same cataloguing system, but they have not implemented Rapido.

What do I do if I just want the book from the University of Alberta?

Find the title in our library catalogue by selecting "Beyond MacEwan" in the drop-down list in the search box. Once you see the title, click on it and then find the box that says "Get a physical copy," then "Get It," and immediately contact ill@macewan.ca with the information about the request. In your email, please let us know that you want the item from the University of Alberta. You can also consider visiting the University of Alberta directly for access. Please bring your MacEwan ID card.

Interlibrary Loans: Frequently Asked Questions