ILL or MOBIUS direct patron borrowing; What's the difference?

We encourage you to request books from the MOBIUS libraries yourself through the Web Catalog. The turn-around time is usually much faster.

Journal articles cannot be requested from other MOBIUS libraries through the catalog.  Please request all journal articles through Interlibrary Loan.

It is possible to request materials from libraries through the MERLIN catalog, the MOBIUS catalog or by making a request through Interlibrary Loan. Some distinction needs to be made as to what the differences are among these methods of access.

MERLIN & MOBIUS Libraries

MERLIN includes the libraries at the UM campuses in Rolla, Saint Louis, Columbia and Kansas City. This cluster also includes the libraries at Saint Louis University.

MOBIUS includes over 50 academic libraries in the state of Missouri, including those in the MERLIN cluster.

MERLIN and MOBIUS libraries share materials freely, and most books held at these libraries can be requested via the MERLIN or MOBIUS catalogs. The turn around time to receive requested items is usually 2 - 4 working days. Journal articles cannot be requested through MERLIN's direct patron borrowing feature and must be ordered through interlibrary loan.

Interlibrary loan

Interlibrary loan (ILL) provides other materials not available from any MOBIUS library. It also obtains articles from journals held at MOBIUS libraries. Interlibrary loan effectively links thousands of libraries worldwide to facilitate sharing. For further information on ILL policies and procedures, please contact the Interlibrary Loan Department at 341-4006, e-mail ill@umr.edu or use their web page.

ILL requests may be submitted on paper forms available at the ILL desk, electronically from the ILL web page, from OCLC's First Search system or MERLIN's OVID databases.

Curtis Laws Wilson Library - Circulation