Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Items that are not available in the DCTC Library can be requested from other libraries through interlibrary loan (ILL). You need a current, activated Library account in order to submit ILL requests.

  1. Log into your MnPALS Plus account.
  2. Select All Libraries from the drop down menu underneath the search box.
  3. Search the catalog.
  4. Click on the title of the book you want.
  5. Scroll down and click on the Request link in the Request Item column.
  6. In the popup window, click on the Create ILL Request button.

MnPALS Plus Login:

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If the book you're looking for isn't in the MnPALS System:

  1. Log into your MnPALS Plus account.
  2. Click on the InterLibrary Loan Requests tab.
  3. Click on Book Request.
  4. In the popup window, enter as much information as you can about the book you're looking for.
  5. Click on the Create ILL Request button.

MnPALS Plus Login:

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Some databases allow you to submit ILL requests for articles from within the database itself. If you're looking for an article that isn't available through any of our online resources:

  1. Log into your MnPALS Plus account.
  2. Click on the InterLibrary Loan Requests tab.
  3. Click on Journal Request.
  4. In the popup window, enter as much information as you can about the article you're looking for.
  5. Click on the Create ILL Request button.

In most cases, you will receive an e-mail with a link to the article, which will be available online for one week or five viewings, whichever comes first.

MnPALS Plus Login:

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Items take an average of one week to reach the DCTC Library from another library. You will receive a notice by mail and/or e-mail when your items are ready to pick up. Please return your items to the DCTC Library by their due dates.

To check on the status of an ILL request, please contact our ILL technician.

If you need information immediately and can't wait for items to arrive through ILL, ask our librarian, Michael Kirby, for help. Visit him in the Library, e-mail michael.kirby@dctc.edu, or call 651-423-8406.

Dakota County residents can apply for a library card at any of the ten Dakota County Library locations. Cardholders can borrow materials from any public library in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area and access many online resources that aren't available at DCTC. Search the Dakota County Library catalog to find books, videos, and other resources available near you.