Interlibrary Loan
UH Libraries is upgrading to a new Interlibrary Loan (ILL) system to improve borrowing services for the UH community. During this system upgrade, users will experience longer ILL processing times.
To maximize your experience during this transition, please note the following temporary service guidelines, effective immediately:
Updated Request Timeline
- Article & Chapter Scans: Allow at least 5 business days to process these requests.
- Physical Books & Items: Allow at least 2 weeks to process these requests.
Request Status & Inquiries
- Avoid Duplicate Requests: If you need an update on a pending item, contact us directly. Do not submit a duplicate request to avoid further processing delays.
- Response Times: Account for slightly longer response times for status inquiries while system installation is underway.
Temporary Request Restrictions
During this system upgrade period, ILL cannot accept requests for:
- Textbooks.
- Study guides for standardized tests or certification exams.
- Physical items that UH Libraries already provides in an electronic format.
- Items freely and legally available online.
Questions & Support
For assistance with your requests or these temporary guidelines, contact the ILL team at [email protected] or (713) 743-9720.If we do not have an item, get it from another library using interlibrary loan (ILL).
Log-in to ILLiad to place ILL requests, request renewals, and manage accounts.
Formats that can be requested include:
- Books
- Articles
- Book chapter scans
- Theses and dissertations
- Music scores
- Media/audiovisual materials
- Newspaper/microform
- Patents
All UH students, faculty, staff, and alumni are eligible for ILL services.
Delivery times and renewals
Generally speaking:
- Electronic items delivered within 1 business day
- Physical items available for pick-up within 4 to 7 business days
Delivery times vary based on availability and distance of the lending library.
The bookstrap on your item will say if renewals are allowed. Request renewals in ILLiad.
If the lending library denies your renewal request, we are happy to help you find another copy of the item, so please contact us.
Logging-in to ILL
For most people, your ILL account uses your CougarNet ID and password.
First-time ILL users should register an ILL account. Registration requires your central.uh.edu email address ([email protected]).
Note for UH staff and students: Your [email protected] email and [email protected] email are the same; the ILL system requires the central.uh.edu version.
If you do not have a CougarNet account, please contact ILL directly.
Alumni are eligible for ILL with UH Alumni Cards.
Password resets
If you cannot log-in to your ILL account, your password may need to be reset.
Unique ILLiad accounts
If your ILLiad username/password is different from CougarNet, contact us to reset it.
CougarNet accounts
If you use your CougarNet password to access ILLiad, try resetting your CougarNet password. Go to the CougarNet Password Wizard.
For other libraries
Use ILLiad Lending to request items from UH Libraries.
Please request a new ILLiad Lending account if you do not have one.
Contact ILL
Interlibrary Loan Department
713-743-9720
[email protected]
Our address
University of Houston
Interlibrary Loan
MD Anderson Library
4333 University Drive
Houston, TX 77204-2000
Policies
ILL use policies
ILL lending policy
ILL terms of service
Note: ILL is not a good way to get textbooks. Course textbooks are always in high-demand, and many libraries do not collect them or lend them out. We charge special overdue fines for overdue textbooks as well.