Can't find what you're looking for?
Students and staff can order material that we do not have in the library's own collections. The library decides if the book will be borrowed or purchased.
Interlibrary loan
We can borrow books from other libraries on behalf of students, researchers and staff at University West, and students at other universities. If you are not included in these groups, or if you are a distance student at University West, please turn to your local library.
The books you order should be related to your studies or to the teaching and research conducted at the university.
Books that are already available at the library but are currently checked out will not be borrowed. Instead, reserve the book through our search service. Material available at the city libraries in Trollhättan or Vänersborg will not be borrowed.
We cannot borrow entire e-books remotely, but we can order copies of chapters or purchase the e-book. Reference literature and course literature cannot be borrowed remotely but may possibly be purchased. Entire journal issues or student theses cannot be borrowed remotely.
Loan Period
Interlibrary loans usually take 3-10 days to be delivered. During holidays, it may take longer, especially if the book is coming from a foreign library.
The loan period for interlibrary loaned books varies and is determined by the lending library. Typically, you have a shorter guaranteed loan period and a longer period during which you can keep the book if no one else requests it.
Interlibrary loaned books are picked up and returned at the university library. This applies to distance students as well. Some interlibrary loans cannot be taken home and must be read at the library. Lost or damaged interlibrary loans are replaced by the borrower.
Renewals
You will receive a reminder for your interlibrary loaned book when the lending library wants it back. Return the loan, or request an extension by emailing us. You will receive a response to your request as soon as we receive confirmation from the lending library.
Purchase suggestion
Everyone with an account at the library can suggest books for the library to purchase.
- Media is purchased based on the needs of education and research.
- All course literature is purchased to the library collection and must be available to those who study at University West.
- Electronic versions of the material will be prioritized when purchasing as this provides the best form of accessibility.
- Inter-library loan requests are always seen as purchase proposals.
A purchase of a printed book takes between 1-3 weeks. Purchased e-books can be accessed within a few days.
Article orders
We order copies of articles from other libraries if you are a student, researcher or employee at University West. Students at other universities should go through the library at their university.
Students will get ordered articles and payment information sent to their home address by post. Staff at University West receive copies via internal mail, or e-mail if it is permitted. Copies of articles are often delivered within 1-5 days.
Costs
Article copies cost SEK 40 for students at University West, and SEK 80 for external students. Payment is made by Swish, card or bank transfer.
How to order?
If the article or book cannot be found in our discovery service or via Google Scholar, you can use the form at the bottom of this page to place an order. The order is binding and cannot be canceled once the library has forwarded your request.
You can also order via our search systems:
Books
In Libris literature that is available in other libraries in Sweden can be found. If you order long-distance loans often, it is convenient to get a borrower account in Libris and order by yourself. In the "loan card number" field, you fill in your social security number.
Articles
In our databases, it is possible to search for articles that we do not have access to. You can order directly in the database by clicking on the link "Order via the library".
For distance learners
Distance students order articles the same way as campus students.
If you are studying remotely, we refer you to your local library for interlibrary loans of books, as all interlibrary loans that we order must be picked up on campus.
As a distance leaner, you can have books from the library sent to your home.