Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary Loan allows patrons to request materials not available in the Reed Library collection (see our catalog). Some materials may be difficult to obtain, including textbooks, bestsellers, rare books, and expensive or fragile items.
Interlibrary Loan FAQs
How do I check my requests?
Most articles will be accessible electronically through your interlibrary loan account. In addition to viewing and downloading these articles, your account can be used to check the status of your requests once they have been processed by the ILL team.
How long will it take to receive my requested item?
Requests are usually processed within one business day. Articles and book chapters sent over the internet may arrive in as little as 1 to 3 days. Delivery of books, CDs, and other physical items generally takes 7-12 business days. If you plan to request physical items, please take the delivery time into account. If it is too long for your needs, consider requesting articles.
How will I know when my item arrives?
FLC students, faculty, or staff members will be notified at your FLC email address. Articles are delivered to your interlibrary loan account, where you can view, save, or print them. Physical items will be available at the Circulation Desk with a valid ID required for checkout.
Who can I contact if I have a question or problem?
If you have questions, call the Reed Library Circulation Desk at (970) 247-7270 or e-mail ill@fortlewis.edu. You can also contact a librarian at the Reference Desk in person, by phone (970) 247-7551, and via chat from the library website.
When do I have to return a physical item?
Articles are yours to access for 30 days. Fines on overdue ILL books, DVDs, CDs, etc, will be assessed in a manner similar to books owned by Reed Library. The loan period will usually be three weeks from the date received, but media items may be less. Please pick items up as soon as possible after you are notified of their arrival as they are returned to the lending library after 7 days.
Renewals on ILL items are at the discretion of the lending library and may not be available. If you need a title longer, please contact ill@fortlewis.edu at least 7 days before your item is due so we can contact the lending library to try to request a renewal.
Prospector and MOBIUS
Prospector is a group of Colorado and Wyoming libraries that gives patrons access to 32 million books, journals, DVDs, CDs, videos and other materials. With a single search you can find and request materials and have them delivered to Reed Library. Borrowing through Prospector is generally the quickest way to get materials not available at Fort Lewis College.
If what you want isn’t available in Prospector, you may be able to find it in Prospector’s partner catalog MOBIUS, a consortium of Missouri libraries. MOBIUS gives you access to an additional 27 million items. Requests may take up to 2 weeks to arrive. Look for the link within Prospector to take you to the MOBIUS catalog.
Borrowing
Prospector and MOBIUS are available to current Fort Lewis College students, faculty, and staff members who do not have any outstanding library fines.
Prospector Catalog Search
When you find what you want, choose "Request This Item" and follow the instructions on the screen. Your request will be processed within a few days and the item will be delivered to John F. Reed Library.
When the item is received (usually within 5-7 days), you will be sent a notice in your FLC email account informing you of the item's arrival. Please pick up your item within 7 days or it will be returned to the lending library.
The general policies which apply to materials delivered through Prospector/MOBIUS include:
- 6 weeks loan period for books; 2 weeks loan period for DVDs, CDs, or other formats
- Click on Library Logins > Library Account on the library homepage in order to review the status of your Prospector requests or cancel any Prospector requests you may no longer need.
- This service is available to all Fort Lewis students, faculty, and staff members whose Reed Library accounts are in good standing.
- If all copies of materials are checked-out, a hold may be placed although books may not be recalled.
- Overdue fines will be charged for late returned Prospector items
- Up to 40 requests/check-outs per person
- $125 will be charged for lost books ($100 lost book fee plus $25 processing charge)
- No renewals
If you have any problems connecting to Prospector, please contact the Reed Library Circulation Desk at 970-247-7270.