ILL Policy

State employees or state agency contractors with a Montana State Library card may submit ILL requests for work-related materials. Other patrons may request ILL services through their local public library.

• Click here to submit an article request
• Click here to submit a book request
• Click here to request medical articles using PubMed (tutorial here)
• Email a request (please include as much information as possible)

MSL attempts to process all ILL requests within one business day. Rush requests are accommodated as resources allow. Due to shipping uncertainties, please allow two to three weeks to obtain physical materials.

Most ILL items are available free of charge. However, if charged by a lending library, MSL will pay a maximum of $20 for any ILL request. If an ILL item is lost or damaged, the patron will be responsible for any bills charged by the lending library.

Books, journal articles, maps, theses, and dissertations can all be requested. However, the below items cannot be obtained through ILL:

• Books published within the last year
• Materials not related to the performance of state agency work
• Materials limited by license agreements
• Ebooks and eaudiobooks
• Entire journals/magazines
• Equipment, hardware, and software

• There is no limit to the number of ILL requests.* (Within the guidelines referenced above.)
• Availability of ILL depends on other libraries and is not guaranteed.
• The lending library sets the loan period and any restrictions on materials.
• Materials will be mailed unless otherwise specified.
• Renewal requests may be made by phone or email.
• Materials must be returned to MSL by the due date.
• Lost, late, or damaged materials jeopardize MSL's borrowing privileges.