Networked education students at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary are located all over the United States and in many different countries all over the world. For this reason, GCTS libraries have become a member of the Digital Theological Library. This is one of, if not the largest, theological library in existence. At present, the DTL has more than 1.5 million titles digitally available to our students, faculty, and staff and that is just the books. To access the DTL, click here. In addition, networked education students that are close enough to one of our four campus locations can use GCTS libraries. They can also access local libraries within a variety of consortia agreements that GCTS has made. This includes the ATLA reciprocal barrowing program that grants access to libraries all over the United States and worldwide. For more information on these agreements, click here.
Who can use (ILL)?
- ILL services are available to all currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff at Gordon-Conwell's four campuses. However, you must be willing to pick up and return any ILL items to the Circulation desk at one of our four campus library locations.
How many items can a patron request through ILL?
- As a Networked Education student, you can request 6 items through ILL and an additional 4 items from the Goddard or the Harold Lindsell Library.
What types of items can be requested through ILL?
- The purpose of ILL is to provide materials not available in GCTS libraries. At this time, no item that is owned by a patron's campus library can be requested through ILL. This includes items only available in Reference, Reserves.
- Requests that are placed for items owned at Goddard will be turned into hold requests and you will receive an automated email when the book is ready for you to pick it up.
How long does it take to get an ILL item?
- ILL requests usually take 1-2 weeks to arrive (remember, if your request is turned into a hold it could take up to 28 days). However, because GCTS does not control all of the factors in ILL delivery, it is possible for books to take more than 2 weeks or as little as 2 days. This is why requesting resources should be done as soon as possible in your research preparations.
Can I have an item sent with expedited shipping through ILL or from another campus
- Regardless of your status at any campus, there are NO options for speeding up the method of shipping with ILLs or Intercampus Loans, even if you are willing to pay for it.
Is there a cost associated with ILL?
- If you are eligible to use ILL (active student, staff, or faculty at any campus) then you can use this service free of charge. If you are not eligible, then you are not able to use this service even if you are willing to pay for it.
Can ILL requests be monitored by patrons?
- ILL requests that are approved will be visible on patrons' accounts (if a request is not valid, you will be notified by a librarian through email). After an ILL request is made, the system will generate a "hold request" for the item in a patron's library account. This "hold request" will have a status of "not ready" until the item is received by the patron's campus library from the lending library. Patrons will be notified by email when an ILL item is available for pick-up at their campus libraries' circulation desk.
Do I need my library card to pick up an ILL item?
- Yes! You wil NOT be able to take your book with you unless you have your physical library card (for students this will be your student ID card, for staff or faculty this may be your driver's license or guest card). Please note: having a picture of your card on your phone, a paper copy of your card, or knowing your ID number does not qualify.
Can items be renewed?
- This is all dependent on the library that has loaned the book to us for you. Please email ill@gordonconwell.edu in order to request renewals. Typically, if the ILL librarian knows that the item is not eligible to be renewed before you pick it up, they will indicate this on the book strap. Please note: renewal requests usually take several days.
Can items be mailed to my home?
- Yes. For Networked Education students living within the United States. If you live less than 75 miles from one of our campus locations, you will need to pick up your items there. Please note: all ILL books must be picked up on campus. This means students that are not within driving distance from one of our campus library locations, will not be able to receive ILL requests. For more information on book requests, please email ill@gordonconwell.edu.