Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery Borrowing

1. What is Rapido?

Rapido is a platform used to manage resource sharing. The NJIT Library uses Rapido to process interlibrary loan and document delivery requests. Current students, faculty, and staff can use Rapido to:

• submit requests
• track status of requests
• retrieve delivered requests
• renew borrowed items

2. Who may request interlibrary loan and article delivery services?

• Currently registered students (including online students), faculty, emeritus faculty, and staff.
• Rutgers students who are currently cross-registered for NJIT classes.

• Reciprocal Borrowing Privileges with other NJ's VALE academic libraries for students, faculty, and staff.
• Services for Online Learning
• Library Privileges for VentureLink Members must submit interlibrary loan requests in person to the Interlibrary Loan office

NOTE: Alumni and NJIT affiliate borrowers are not eligible for interlibrary loans.

3. What can I borrow through interlibrary loan/article delivery services?

Books (except course-related textbooks), articles, dissertations, proceedings, patents, and reports needed for academic research that the NJIT libraries do not own. Non-print materials may be difficult to obtain as most libraries do not loan these items. We encourage students to ask their professors to put a copy of the required textbooks on reserve.

4. How many items can I request? Is there a cost associated with submitting an interlibrary loan request?

You may place any number of requests at one time; however interlibrary loan staff will process up to 10 items (in priority order) per patron per day during peak times of the semester. Interlibrary Loan staff cannot order multiple copies of a single title for classroom use nor will they order materials for placement on Course Reserve.

Currently, there is no charge for interlibrary loan items unless the cost of the loan or copy exceeds $35. You will be notified before the request is made if there are charges beyond the $35 cap.

5. How long will it take to receive my interlibrary loan request?

Books take anywhere from 4 days to several weeks depending on who is the lender. Most articles arrive 24-hours to 3 days but may take longer if we have difficulty identifying a lender or an incorrect citation is provided. Digital articles and book chapters are sent directly to your NJIT email address as a PDF.

6. How will I know when my interlibrary loan request arrived?

An email notification will be sent to your NJIT email account. For a book request, the email will prompt you to visit the Interlibrary Loan office to pick it up; for an article or book chapter, an email will be sent with a link for you to download the PDF.

7. Where do I pick up my interlibrary loan request?

Books and other returnable items on loan to you can be picked up at the Van Houten Library Interlibrary Loan window between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday otherwise at the Circulation Desk.

For distance learners - contact the Interlibrary Loan office for options on obtaining your physical request

8. How long can I keep my interlibrary loan request? Can I renew it if I need to keep it longer?

Due dates vary depending on the policies of the lending library. Check your library account after the item is loaned to you to see the due date. The interlibrary item may be recalled at any time by the lending library. You may request renewals by sending an email message to lib_ill@njit.edu or calling 973-596-3204.

9. Are there overdue fines for interlibrary loan items?

Yes. After the item is 28 days overdue, it will be updated as “lost”. You will be charged for the replacement cost of the lost item as determined by the lending library, and your borrowing and interlibrary loan privileges will be blocked until the item has been returned, or the replacement cost paid.

10. I still have a question. Who can I contact?

Email lib_ill@njit.edu or call 973-596-3204.

You may also want to chat with a subject specialist librarian at “Ask a Librarian”.