Borrow from Other Libraries

Interlibrary and Document Services

If the library doesn't hold the material you need for your SDSU research, we will try to get it for you!

Materials from Other Libraries

Materials held at the SDSU Imperial Valley in Calexico, CA are included in our online catalog, OneSearch, and are available for immediate ordering directly from OneSearch. When you find a record for an SDSU Imperial Valley book you need in the Library Catalog (OneSearch), click on the REQUEST button and follow the prompts to place your order. Books from the SDSU Imperial Valley are delivered here and available for pickup at the main Circulation Desk within 3-5 days. Loan policies and fines are the same as those for books checked out from the main SDSU collection (see the Borrowing (SDSU) page for current policies).

Books and audio/visual material can be requested from all 23 CSU campuses. If an item is not available at our library, go to OneSearch and select the "Other Collections" radio button. Before you are able to request from other CSU's, you will need to log into your Library Account in the top right corner using your SDSUid and password. After logging in, you'll see a box that says "Get a physical copy" and a blue Get It box. After clicking on the Get It box, a request form will appear asking for a volume, if necessary, if not leave blank, and then Pickup/delivery location. If you are stationed at the main library please leave the option as SDSU Library, if you are stationed at IVC, please change the option to IVC SDSU Library. Then click Request. You have now placed a CSU+ request. To check on your request, please log into your Library Account. CSU+ materials are generally available for pickup at the Circulation Desk within 3-4 days. Please note that you are limited to 8 CSU+ items at a time. For more assistance please email ILL at [email protected].

Circuit is the fastest way to get a book that's not held in the SDSU Library collection. But only books are available for loan through Circuit (no journal articles). This union catalog contains the collections of the libraries of UCSD, USD, CSU San Marcos, San Diego County Libraries, and San Diego Public Libraries. Books are generally available for pickup at the Circulation Desk within 1-2 days.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is able to acquire a much broader range of materials. When you submit an Interlibrary Loan request the system and staff will search other library catalogs worldwide to find the item you need. Once the item is located in another library's collection, your request will be placed. We are able to obtain around 90% of all materials requested. For more details, please see our frequently asked questions page. For questions or concerns, please email ILL at [email protected].