Services for Distance Patrons

Document delivery and interlibrary loan distance services are provided to University of Florida affiliates including, but not limited to students, faculty, and staff. Expectations and limitations are outlined below.

UF Items

Document Delivery

Document Delivery is a service provided to distance learners and researchers worldwide. As a distance learner, you can request almost anything from the UF Collections to be mailed to you if you reside outside of Gainesville. Items NOT included in this service are Course Reserve items, reference materials, and items labeled as "non-circulating."

The Document Delivery service is a great way to access many of UF’s resources while studying at a distance. We guarantee UPS tracking of all library materials to ensure reliable delivery to and from your door. Don’t worry, return shipping is paid for by the ILL department budget. Create an ILLiad account, set your status to “DISTANCE,” include a shipping address (No P.O. Boxes), and start ordering!

Renew a UF Item

UF items can be renewed indefinitely via log in My Library Card or by contacting any UF Libraries circulation desk.

The following items cannot be renewed:

  • Items requested by another borrower.
  • An overdue item on your account will prevent renewal online via My Library Card.

Return a UF Item

A courtesy UPS return shipping label was provided in your shipment when the item first arrived. This label is pre-weighed and covers only the item(s) in the accompanying package. Use this label to mail the book back to us at least 3 days before the due date on the yellow band. The date listed is the day it’s due back in our office.

Distance patrons at one of the various IFAS or County Research Centers in Florida should return the item(s) using your departmental mail service that routes to the University of Florida main campus.

non-UF items

Interlibrary Loan for Distance Patrons

Items from libraries around the country or around the world can be ordered and delivered to your doorstep. Since these items are borrowed from other libraries, we can safely ship non-UF items to distance patrons who live within the U.S. only.

Distance patrons can use their Interlibrary Loan Account to order books, journal articles, microfilm, DVD’s, and CD’s from libraries worldwide. Unfortunately, distance patrons are not eligible for the UBorrow service since these items must be picked up in person on-campus. Also note, if you are living outside of the U.S., we cannot safely ship any material borrowed from other libraries to you. However, we can ship UF owned material to you outside of the U.S. Please see the section above on Document Delivery services for ordering UF owned material.

Renew a Non-UF Item

Log into your Interlibrary Loan Account and click on “Checked out items.” Click on the transaction number of the book you want to renew. You can usually renew the book ONCE, unless the blue band wrapped around the item says “NO RENEWALS.” Renewals are granted at the discretion of the lending partner and must be renewed before the due date printed on the band. The system will not allow renewals if the item is overdue. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office. Our email is illoan@uflib.ufl.edu and our phone number is (352) 273-2535.

Return a Non-UF Item

The process for returning items borrowed from other libraries is identical to returning a UF item. A courtesy UPS return shipping label was provided in your shipment when the item first arrived. This label is pre-weighed and covers only the item(s) in the accompanying package. Use this label to mail the book back to us at least 3 days before the due date on the blue band. The date listed is the day it’s due back in our office.

Distance patrons at one of the various IFAS or County Research Centers in Florida should return the item(s) using your departmental mail service that routes to the University of Florida main campus.

Do you have a questioN?

Need additional information regarding Distance Patron Services?

If you have any questions about the services provided to patrons studying and researching remotely, please email us at illoan@uflib.ufl.edu or call us at (352) 273-2535.