We offer two services free of charge: Interlibrary Loan and Distance Delivery. Use this page to learn how we can help.
Did You Know?
You can request books, media and articles for free using our distance user services. With Distance Delivery, you can have UF-owned books shipped directly to you. With Interlibrary Loan, you can request books, media and articles from all over the world.
Who Can Use Distance Services?
Distance users are active UF borrowers with shipping addresses outside of Gainesville. To determine if you qualify, visit our:
- Check-Out Guidelines and Privileges for eligibility by affiliation.
- Non-Enrolled Student Policy for students taking a semester off or graduating soon.
Books owned by UF can be shipped to users living abroad through our Distance Delivery service. However, we cannot ship books from other libraries (such as Interlibrary Loan items) to users outside of the United States.
Unsure if you’re eligible? Contact Us for assistance.
How Do I Enroll in Distance Services?
Distance services are requested through the UF Library Catalog. To opt in to distance services, you’ll need to fill our UF Library Distance User Delivery Services application form.
*Please note, we cannot ship to PO Boxes.
Your address does not automatically sync with your UF GatorLink information, so you are responsible for contacting us to keep it up-to-date.
You will receive a confirmation email once we’ve processed your Distance User registration—this may take up to one business day to complete. Choose the Ship to Me option as your pickup location each time you submit a request.
Review and update your status and shipping address each semester.
What We Can Do
Our goal is to provide what you need to support your studies. However, all requests are subject to copyright regulations and owning library resource sharing policies.
GET PHYSICAL ITEMS
GET ITEMS FROM OTHER LIBRARIES
Using the Interlibrary Loan service, we can get books, media, microforms and more from other libraries.
GET PDFS
GET A PDF OF AN ARTICLE OR CHAPTER
Using the Interlibrary Loan service, we can get articles and book chapters from other libraries.
GET PDFS
SCAN UF-OWNED MATERIALS
Using the Interlibrary Loan service, we can scan UF-owned articles and book chapters.
GET PHYSICAL ITEMS
SHIP BOOKS TO DISTANCE USERS
Using the Distance Delivery service, we can ship books owned by UF directly to your home.
FAQ
Here are our most asked questions about distance services:
What if I’m only out of town for a few weeks?
If you are relocating outside of Gainesville for more than six weeks, update your status and address in your ILL Account and place your requests as a distance user. If you are relocating for less than six weeks, please reach out to the ILL Office for your request options. Once you are back in Gainesville, make sure to update your status in your ILL Account.
Where does ILL ship to?
We can ship to addresses outside of Gainesville or to our Oak Hammock users. We can ship UF-owned books to users living abroad, but not items owned by other libraries, such as ILL items.
Do I need to pay for shipping?
If we shipped the item to you as a distance user, then the pre-paid label included with your item covers the return shipping. If you originally picked up the item in-person, you are responsible for the return shipping. For more information, visit our Shipping Guidelines.