Request from other institutions

QUT students and staff can request scans of articles, chapters and other material (within copyright) as well as loans of items from other institutions which are not held by QUT Library. All requests must be related to your QUT teaching, research or study. Loans are subject to the Library Borrowing Conditions.

• How to request from other institutions
• How long will it take?
• Track request progress
• Delivery of your requests
• Why was my request cancelled?
• What happens if I lose or damage an item from another institution?

How to request from other institutions

Use the expanded Library Search to search for and request material from other institutions and providers. This search includes results from QUT and other institutions as well as many publishers and providers outside of QUT's collection and will provide automatic request buttons.

1. Go to the expanded Library Search.
2. If you find a record for the item you want to request, select the Check access options link and submit your request. If the item is already available at QUT you will see a Download PDF or View online link.
3. If you cannot locate the item, click on the Request from another institution button at the top of search results and fill in the request form with as much information as possible to reduce delays.

Watch the video below for a brief demonstration of how to place a request in the Library Search.

If you know the material you want to request is not in the expanded search you can fill in a blank request form, adding as much information as possible to reduce delays. Your request will be cancelled if the item is already available in QUT Library.

How long will it take?

Request type	Eligibility	Approximate number of working days
Standard scan requests	QUT students QUT staff	1 - 5 days
Standard loan requests	QUT students QUT staff	5 - 20 days
Urgent requests (add a note to the 'Comments' section)	QUT higher degree research students QUT staff	2 -5 days

These times are estimated delivery times only, and are dependent on many factors. You'll receive an email when the item is available.

Loan period is determined by the supplying library and loans are non renewable.

Track request progress

You can view and track progress of your requests as well as download requested documents via My Library.

My Library (QUT)

Request statuses

When tracking your requests, you may see the following statuses:

• Library request. Submitted - you have submitted your request and it is waiting to be processed. You will be sent an email confirming the request was submitted.
• Library request. In Process - your scan request is being processed (including copyright checking and approval). Requests can be cancelled if QUT Library already has the item, if not enough detail is supplied in the request or the request does not comply with copyright requirements.
• Library Request. Sent by other institution - your request has been sent to another institution.
• Library Request. Received by Library. You will be notified by email when the item is ready - the item has been received by QUT Library for further processing. You will receive an email when it is ready for collection from the hold shelf or has been posted to eligible students.
• Library Request. Emailed - the request has been completed and the scan has been emailed to you. You can also log in to My Library to view and download the scan.

Delivery of your requests

You will receive an email when your item is ready to be downloaded, picked up from the hold shelf or if it has been posted to you (for eligible users).

• Digital delivery: scanned items will remain available for download for 30 days from the day you are emailed a link to the file, or for 5 views (due to copyright requirements), whichever is sooner.
• Loans: loans can be collected from hold shelf in the pickup location you specified in your request (the location is also included in the email you receive).
• Postal loans: if you requested postal delivery, you will receive an email to advise when the item has been posted to you.

Why was my request cancelled?

Your request will be cancelled if:

• QUT Library already has the resource or it is freely available on the web
• the requested resource cannot be located or supplied by any other institution
• not enough detail is provided to determine what you requested
• you have been previously supplied with a scan of the document being requested
• you have been previously supplied with a scan of another chapter or portion from this resource during the course of your study
• if copyright limits are exceeded (such as a scan request for more than one chapter or 10% of a book).

What happens if I lose or damage an item from another institution?

If you lose or damage an item that you have borrowed from another institution you will be asked to pay the replacement cost that is applied by the lending institution. Providing a replacement copy is not an option.