If we don't have an article, book or other resource that you need, we'll get it for you through Interlibrary Loan. This service is fast and friendly. See our Frequently Asked Questions for information about the program or to ask a question yourself.
Bridgewater College is a partner in the VIVA (Virginia Academic Libraries) consortium, as well as, the EAST consortium, and the LVIS group (Libraries Very Interested in Sharing). We adhere to these groups stated ILL guidelines, in addition to ILL policies set forth by American Library Association (ALA).
How to make a request?
Before you make an ebook request:
Please recognize that printed books are owned whereas ebooks are licensed. Owned items can be lent/borrowed; but, licensed items cannot ... unless the lending library has a licensing agreement with the publisher.
Our Virginia consortium (VIVA) offers some ebook borrowing specific to the following 8 academic publishers. Loans are delivered in the form of a viewable (not downloadable) PDF:
If your requested ebook is not available from these eight publishers, the ILL librarian will automatically find you a printed version. Off-campus students - we will mail the books out to you, if you supply your mailing address in the notes field of the order form.
Also note - Public Libraries offer licensed online apps Hoopla and Libby for popular ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more. To log into these programs, you'll use your public library membership card/account #.
Before you order a textbook:
Any interlibrary loan requests for textbooks or required texts for class will go to the Library Director for purchase consideration. Purchased textbooks are placed in Course Reserves. We do not order textbooks through interlibrary loan.
For more about Course Reserves, see: https://libguides.bridgewater.edu/coursereserves