Distance Learning DELivery Service

The Collections Sharing and Delivery Unit will ship items from University of Delaware Library circulating collections and items requested through Interlibrary Loan to users enrolled in a UD Online distance learning program.  The Library absorbs all costs for providing this service to eligible students.

Need just one article from a journal or a book chapter? Use the Article DELivery Service, through which staff will scan and deliver a PDF to your Interlibrary Loan account.

Eligibility

The Distance Learning DELivery Service is available to users who have a valid University of Delaware ID card, are eligible for University of Delaware Interlibrary Loan services, and are enrolled in a UD Online distance learning program.

Current graduate students, PhD candidates, and retired faculty residing more than 75 miles from the Morris Library also are eligible.  Users who are based at the University’s Hugh R. Sharp campus in Lewes, Delaware also are eligible for delivery.  Contact the Collections Sharing and Delivery Unit for more information.

Items only may be shipped to U.S. mailing addresses.  We are unable to ship library materials to researchers outside of the U.S.

Placing Distance Learning DELivery Service Requests

The first time you log in to the ILL system, a dropdown menu will ask you to select a delivery location. Select “UD Online Distance Learning Student – Ship to Home.”  If your pickup location changes after you’ve made your initial selection, contact the Collections Sharing and Delivery Unit to update your pickup location.  Library staff will use the current home address in UDSIS for all home deliveries. If your shipping address changes, please notify the Collections Sharing and Delivery Unit as soon as possible so items are not erroneously shipped to an outdated address.

For University of Delaware Library items: Use DELCAT Discovery to search for and identify the materials you need. Sign in with your DELCAT account to view request options. After signing in, eligible users will be able to click “Request”, choose “Home Delivery” from the dropdown menu, and click “Send Request” to submit the form. The delivery address used will be the default home address in UDSIS.

For Interlibrary Loan items: Users can either click the “Request Item through Interlibrary Loan” link in an item record, or log in to the ILL system and place an ILL loan request.  When the item arrives at the Library, staff will ship the item to your home, provided the lending library has not placed specific restrictions on the item’s use that would prevent it from leaving the Morris Library.

One request is required for each title being requested.  Multiple items may be requested through the Distance Learning DELivery Service at one time, but each title must be submitted on a separate request.

What can be requested through the Distance Learning DELivery Service?

Circulating books from the Morris Library, Library Annex, Chemistry Library, and Physics Library may be requested for shipment.

Many titles from the Film and Video Collection are available through the Distance Learning DELivery Service.  Items with a DELCAT Discovery designation of Media Loan generally are available through the Distance Learning DELivery Service.  Restricted loan titles may be rare, expensive, out-of-print, or scheduled for classroom viewing, and are available for use in the Library.

The following collections may not be shipped to users’ homes at this time: Special Collections, Manuscripts and Archives, Marine Studies, items currently on Course Reserve, Student Multimedia Design Center, microforms, and current periodicals.

Items that typically circulate from the Library may not be shipped if they are in poor condition and might be further damaged through the packaging and shipping process.

How long can I keep each item?

The loan period for items shipped from the University of Delaware Library collection is the same as it would be if the item were checked out in person.  Loan periods for every borrower category are listed on the Circulation and Reserve policies page.

The loan period for items borrowed through Interlibrary Loan is determined by the lending library.

In all cases, the item’s due date will be indicated on the paperwork shipped by the Interlibrary Loan Office.  The due date is the date on which you should ship the item back to the ILL Office.  

How long does it take?

Books from the University of Delaware Library collection will be retrieved and shipped within 2 working days of the original request.  Allow an additional 3-5 days for transit between the Morris Library and your home address.

Books received through Interlibrary Loan arrive at the University of Delaware Library, on average, in 10 working days of the original request.  Allow an additional 3-5 days for transit between the ILL Office and delivery to your home address.

Additional Policies & Procedures

  • The item’s due date is the date on which it should be shipped back to the Morris Library.  Overdue fines will not be accrued for items sent via UPS on or before the due date.
  • To return items, package them securely in the prepaid envelope provided with your initial shipment and bring your item to a nearby UPS drop off location.
  • The prepaid packing materials sent with the initial shipment should be kept safe: Collections Sharing and Delivery staff cannot supply replacement packing materials.  If the supplied materials are lost, users will be responsible for the cost of packaging, shipping, and insuring materials to be returned to the University of Delaware Library.
  • Books from the University of Delaware Library collection will be checked out and can be renewed through My Library Account in DELCAT Discovery.
  • Books received through Interlibrary Loan will be checked out and can be renewed (if renewals are available) through your ILL account.