Skip to Main Content

Circulation and Interlibrary Loan: Circulation, Interlibrary Loan & Course Reserves

Circulation and Interlibrary Loan

Loan Periods for the Elmhurst University Community 

  • Your Jaypass is your library card. 
  • Circulating materials owned by the A. C. Buehler Library at Elmhurst University may be borrowed for the following periods: 
    • Undergraduates: 4 weeks with up to three renewals
    • Faculty/Staff: 16 weeks 

Requesting Books Owned by Other I-Share Libraries 

While a book you want may not be available through the library, a book may be available at another I-Share library. You can request the book in the following fashion: 

  1. In Bluejay Search, search for the desired book in All I-Share Libraries. 
  2. In the How to Get It, section, look for Please sign in to check if there are any request options and click Sign In. 
  3. Choose Login Using: Elmhurst Users. This will send you to the Elmhurst University login screen, where you will enter your enumber and password. 
  4. After authentication you’ll go back to the How to Get It section, where you choose Request Through I-Share. 
  5. On the request screen, confirm that the pickup library and pickup location are set to Elmhurst. 
  6. Click Send Request. 
  7. A green box will appear that says Your request was successfully placed. 
  8. You will also get an email confirming your request. 

We will make every effort to acquire the materials you request. However, some formats of materials are more challenging to obtain and may be declined.   

Some examples of hard-to-get items:  

  • Reference materials  
  • Rare and/or fragile materials  
  • Theses and dissertations  
  • Audiovisual materials  
  • Microfilm  
  • Physical items that are less than a year old 

Allow 7-10 days on average to receive requested materials. 

Requesting Books Not Owned by Other I-Share Libraries 

When a book you want is not available through any I-Share libraries, you may request the item by completing our online interlibrary loan form for books. 

Allow 7-10 days on average to receive requested materials. 

Requesting Copies of Articles Not Owned by the Library 

Before requesting an article online, you’ll want to check the library’s Citation Linker. Also, make sure you click the “Find at EU” button available in the databases for more information about obtaining articles. 

When you need an article from a periodical the library does not own, you may request it by completing our online interlibrary loan form for articles. 

Allow 7-10 days on average to receive requested materials. 

Using Your Jaypass at Other Libraries 

  • Your Jaypass allows you to borrow from many (but not all) academic libraries in Illinois. Please view Reciprocal Borrowing Arrangements (within this guide) to find out about the I-Share and LIBRAS libraries you can visit. 
  • Circulation periods from different institutions may vary. 

Lending to non-Elmhurst University Patrons 

What You Can Request  

We will not send physical materials such as textbooks, encyclopedias, multi volume/edition books to distant or online learners (out of the state of Illinois). You may request articles or chapters since these items can be scanned and sent as an email attachment.  

In addition to this, online students anywhere in Illinois can use I-Share to have their items sent to a nearby campus. The students can pick up and return their requested items at their closest I-Share library. 

What Can’t I Borrow 

Items we cannot send through ILL:  

  • Entire volumes of periodicals  
  • Original manuscripts (Special, rare, or limited-edition scripts, Bibles, Liturgical books, calendars, etc.) 
  • Textbooks (outside of I-Share requests) 
  • International items (Canada and Mexico included). EU patrons can request items internationally, but A.C. Buehler Library will not send physical items internationally. 

Getting Help With Interlibrary Loan 

If you need assistance with reserve materials, circulation, or interlibrary loan, call or e-mail: 

Find Books and More From Other Libraries

Reciprocal Borrowing Arrangements

Reciprocal Library Privileges for Elmhurst University Students, Faculty, and Staff

Elmhurst University Library has reciprocal borrowing agreements with other I-Share libraries, a consortium of which Elmhurst University is a part. As long as you maintain a valid Jaypass you may visit any of these libraries and utilize their resources including checking out books at their location (except the Newberry Library). In addition you may have privileges with some libraries in the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS).

Reciprocal Library Privileges for Visiting Patrons

The following libraries have an agreement with the Elmhurst University library that allows their patrons to borrow books from Elmhurst University. All RAILS card holders high school age and older may check out two books every visit. They must present a valid Library card from their home library and have a registration card on file with us (cards are available at our circulation desk).

Elmhurst University library also has agreements with many college libraries throughout the state that are members of the CARLI consortium and LIBRAS consortium. These patrons simply need to show a valid ID from their institution and be in their home school’s database. There is no limit as to how many books they may check out.

CARLI I-Share Member Libraries: https://www.carli.illinois.edu/membership/i-share_part​

LIBRAS Member Libraries: http://libras.org/?q=members