Alternatives to Interlibrary Loan

Because of time and cost required for shipping books, Interlibrary Loan may not be the most efficient method for Distance Learners to obtain copies of books not owned by the ORU Library. We recommend that Distance Learners investigate Interlibrary Loan services available through their local public library to save money and time. Local academic libraries may also allow on-site use of books. Use WorldCat to find nearby libraries that own a particular book.

Requesting Interlibrary Loan Materials

Requests may be submitted electronically through forms available in the EBSCOHost and FirstSearch Databases or by completing the online ILL form.

Requests may also be emailed to LibDist@oru.edu.
Be sure to provide complete contact information and acknowledge your agreement to pay the request fee and postage if applicable.

Return Interlibrary Loan Materials

To return borrowed items, place in cardboard container:

  • Mail by insured mail to:
    Distance Learner Services
    Oral Roberts University Library
    7777 South Lewis Avenue
    Tulsa, OK 74171
  • Return in person to:
    Jane Malcolm
    Room 408C
    Learning Resource Center

Interlibrary Loan Information and Policies

Articles:

  • ILL articles are emailed to distance learners with an invoice for the request fee ($2.00).

Books:

  • ILL books requested by distance learners are mailed with an invoice for the request fee ($2.00) plus shipping costs.

Fees can be paid by:

  • Eagle Bucks
  • Check or money order mailed to Distance Learner Services. 

Available Materials

In general most books and photocopies of journal articles can be obtained through interlibrary loan. The following kinds of materials are not ordinarily obtainable from other libraries:

  • text books
  • reference books
  • rare books
  • complete issues or volumes of bound periodicals

Dissertations, theses, and audiovisual materials such as videos and audio books are sometimes available through ILL, depending on the policies of the lending library.

You may also search WorldCat to see if a library near you has the materials you need.