Interlibrary Loan

Service

The Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service allows you to request physical books, digital copies of journal articles and book chapters that are not available in the HKUST Library but can be obtained from local UGC-funded libraries or overseas libraries.  All HKUST faculty, staff and students are eligible for this service.  

Request

Place Requests

This service will move to a new platform on 16 June (Monday). Send your ILL requests via email to lbill@ust.hk as the current platform HKUST ILLiad is now suspended. 

Cancel Requests

You cannot cancel your ILL request.  Notify the Library by sending an email to lbill@ust.hk if you no longer need the item.

Delivery Time

• Local books – 5 working days
• Overseas books – 1-2 months
• Digital articles or book chapters – 24 hours
• Digital articles or book chapters from overseas – 1-2 weeks

Delivery times depend on the accuracy of the details provided, the availability and geographic location of the lending library.  Book loans from overseas may have a longer turnaround time. 

Pickup

Physical books

• You will receive an email notice when the requested book is ready for pickup.
• You can borrow the book at the Service Counter (G/F).

Journal articles / Book chapters

• You will receive an email notice when the articles and book chapters are delivered electronically.
• The items can be downloaded from the link provided in the email notice.

Return, Recall and Renewal

Return

• There will be overdue fines for books returned after the due date. 
• ILL books should be returned to the HKUST Library.

Recall

• ILL books are subject to recall by the lending library.
• When a book is recalled, the loan period may be shortened and you will receive an email notice to return the item earlier according to the new due date.

Renewal

• You can send your renewal request to lbill@ust.hk.  You will receive an email regarding whether the renewal request is accepted.   

Charges

Fees and Payment Methods

The majority of books and articles supplied are without a user fee.  Flat fees apply for materials obtained from overseas or purchased from publishers:

• Overseas article / digital copy – HK$30
• Overseas physical book (per volume) – HK$120

Students and staff must pay by cash or check. Faculty members can charge to their department’s account or a grant.

Loss and Damage

The borrower is responsible for book replacement costs and processing fees as set by the lending library, as well as for adhering to the library’s penalty policies in case of loss or damage.

Copyright

The interlibrary loan service is provided in accordance with the Hong Kong Copyright Ordinance Cap.528. Requesters should acknowledge the followings:

• All requested items must be used for the purpose of research or private study.
• Not more than one copy of the same journal article or copies of more than one article contained in the same issue can be requested.
• Not more than one chapter of the same book or a copy of more than a reasonable proportion can be requested.

Lending to Other Libraries

For libraries interested in borrowing our materials, please visit the Interlibrary Lending page.

Contact Us

Office:	G/F User Services Office, Library [map]
Phone / email:	2358-6766 | lbill@ust.hk
Service hours:	9am – 5pm Monday to Friday (except holidays)

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