Books and articles that are not available at the Bentley Library can be requested via our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) department. All Interlibrary Loan requests should be made online using ILLiad, the Interlibrary Loan request system. Please note: the first time you access ILLiad you will be asked to complete a one-time registration of your contact information. Once registration has been completed you may use ILLiad to submit requests, check the status of your requests, and update your contact information.

Place a Borrowing Request / Check the status of your request

Requesting Books

If a book is not available at Bentley Library, use ILLiad to submit an Interlibrary Loan request. When the book arrives, you will receive an email notification. Interlibrary Loan books are available for pick up at the Library Services desk. Books generally arrive within nine (9) working days.

Requesting Articles

• Before submitting an Interlibrary Loan request for an article, check to see if Bentley has an online copy in one of our many databases or whether we own a hardcopy of the journal.

If the article required is not available, use ILLiad to submit an Interlibrary Loan request. When the article arrives, you will receive an email notice and a pdf copy of your requested article! Articles generally arrive within three (3) working days.

Please note: Interlibrary Loan will not be able to obtain e-books, the full issue of a journal or reference books, and may not be able to obtain DVD/videos, audio books, conference proceedings, dissertations, or case studies. For further information, please refer to the frequently asked questions or contact Interlibrary Loan Monday through Friday 9AM - 5PM at interlibloan@bentley.edu or 781.891.2301.

Inter-Library Loan FAQs

• How do I submit an Interlibrary Loan request?
  All requests must now be completed using ILLiad.

• What is my ILLiad username and password?
  Your Bentley username (email address) and network password is your Interlibrary Loan login.

• How do I get my articles when I receive an email notice that they have arrived?
  Login to your ILLiad account. On the main menu, choose "Electronically Received Articles." This will give you a list of all items to be retrieved.

• Where do I pick up my book?
  Once you have received email notification about the arrival of your requested book, please visit the Library Services desk on the main floor of the library.

• How can I check the status of my book and/or article request?
  Login to your ILLiad account. On the main menu choose "Outstanding Requests" to find more information about the materials you requested.

• How do I renew my Interlibrary Loan materials?
  E-mail the Interlibrary loan department at interlibloan@bentley.edu or at 781.891.2301 to request a renewal. Please keep in mind that all renewal requests are subject to approval by the lending library and are not always approved. We ask that you return all Interlibrary Loan material on or before the due date to maintain the good will of the lending libraries.

• Where do I return my Interlibrary Loan books?
  All borrowed items should be returned to the Library Services desk or in the book drop located at the main entrance if the library is closed. The loan period for materials is four weeks from the date of check out, and subject to recall by the lending library.

• Can I borrow video and audio materials?
  Yes, although fewer libraries lend video and audio materials so these requests may take longer to fill.

• Can I get a case study?
  Interlibrary Loan will review requests for case studies, but may not be able to fulfill requests. Please contact the Interlibrary Loan office to discuss your request.

• Can I get a dissertation? Can I get a conference proceeding?
  Interlibrary Loan will attempt to borrow dissertations and obtain copies of conference proceedings.

• Can I get microfilm or microfiche?
  Interlibrary Loan will request materials that are available on microfilm or microfiche.

• How can I find out which libraries own a particular title?
  There are several different resources that you may use to discover what other libraries own. Refer to the next section to learn more.

Exploring the Contents of Libraries' Collections

Listed below are some tools that you may use to discover what other libraries own.

WorldCat is the largest library network in the world. Use the WorldCat catalog to search for items worldwide, then enter your zip code, state, or country to locate them in a library nearby. Or, contact the Bentley Library Reference Desk at 781.891.2300 to obtain the login information to WorldCat via FirstSearch, the subscription version of the WorldCat catalog. WorldCat First Search has more advanced search options and allows users to view a full list of libraries without specifying a geographic region.

MLIN's Virtual Catalog allows you to locate books and other library materials in multiple library catalogs in Massachusetts with a single search.