Interlibrary Loan Frequently Asked Questions

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Please refer to Interlibrary Loan Card

First, use the library’s One Search system. Many materials are available in the library’s electronic collections with full text, eliminating the need to request from other libraries. This is the fastest and most economical option.


If the material is not available locally, search according to the material type (book or journal) using union catalogs for books or journals. If the material is not available locally, search according to the material type (book or journal) using union catalogs for books or journals.
Note that many conference proceedings or annuals (e.g., Annual Review of Anthropology, Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings) have volume or issue numbers but are often cataloged as books by libraries. For such materials, search the book union catalog or individual library catalogs to avoid missing relevant holdings. If If Note that many conference proceedings or annuals (e.g., Annual Review of Anthropology, Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings) have volume or issue numbers but are often cataloged as books by libraries. For such materials, search the book union catalog or individual library catalogs to avoid missing relevant holdings.
When completing the request form, list as many potential supplying libraries as possible. If the first library cannot fulfill the request, the system will automatically forward it to the next one, preventing rejection. If When completing the request form, list as many potential supplying libraries as possible. If the first library cannot fulfill the request, the system will automatically forward it to the next one, preventing rejection.
For urgent requests, select Ariel as the delivery method. If For urgent requests, select Ariel as the delivery method.
Please note that copying fees vary by library, generally ranging from NTD 3–6 per page, and may include additional handling fees. Please note that copying fees vary by library, generally ranging from NTD 3–6 per page, and may include additional handling fees.

You may use the University System of Taiwan (UST) interlibrary loan and return service, which is free of charge.

  • Domestic theses
    First, check the library's thesis and dissertation databases.
    If you need to request copies from other libraries, it is recommended to list the graduate's home institution as the first supplying library, followed by the National Central Library and the NCCU Social Sciences Information Center as second and third options.
    Duplicate copies of theses from National Taiwan University Library are often available for loan. If you need many pages, applying for book loans instead of photocopies is recommended to reduce costs. (Fees are currently covered by the library.)
  • Foreign theses
    • UMI dissertations are purchased through Han-Hai Information Co. on behalf of the library:
      • Standard service: NTD 1,600, delivery in about 1 month
      • Rush service: NTD 2,600, delivery in about 2 weeks
      • Users may also place orders directly with the vendor (Han-Hai Information Co., Tel: 02-2736-1058 ext. 292).
    • Non-UMI dissertations are purchased through the National Science and Technology Council Information Center.(Fees are currently covered by the library.)

Log in to the NDDS system and click “Forgot Password” to retrieve it.

Please contact the library:

This depends on the lending library’s policies.If you have questions, please contact the interlibrary loan staff:

The NDDS system does not provide a renewal service. To extend the loan period, users must submit a new request. Re-requests for the same document (including previously requested identical books) will be regarded as renewals, and the associated fees must be borne by the applicant.

Renewal requests must be submitted during office hours before the due date. For inquiries, please contact us at 03-574-2994 or ill@my.nthu.edu.tw

If the requested item is not held by overseas partner libraries (some OCLC partner institutions), this rejection reason may occur.

In such cases, users are advised to submit a purchase recommendation to the library.

Can photocopies of books or journal articles be provided in electronic format?

For document copies obtained through the Western-language Rapid Document Delivery Service (RapidILL), electronic delivery is available in most cases; however, all deliveries are subject to the lending library's policies.

If you have any questions, please contact the Interlibrary Cooperation staff at 03-574-2994 or ill@my.nthu.edu.tw

Can Case Studies Be Requested through RapidILL?

  • Journal-based case studies
    Case studies published in journals—such as Clinical Case Reports, Teaching Case Studies, or Business Case Articles—are generally eligible for request, provided that they:
    Are journal articles,
    Are held by a participating library, and
    Comply with licensing terms and fair use regulations.
  • Publisher-produced instructional case studies
    Publisher-produced teaching cases—such as business school teaching cases (e.g., Harvard Business School cases) or instructional cases sold separately by publishers—are generally not eligible for request through RapidILL.
    This is because they are typically:
    Separately licensed instructional materials,
    Not journal articles or standard book chapters, and
    Restricted by exclusive licensing and specific terms of use.
  • Case study chapters in books
    Case studies that appear as chapters within books may be requested as book chapters.Whether the request can be fulfilled depends on:Whether the holding library owns the book, and Whether the request complies with chapter copying limits and copyright regulations.

If you are requesting copies of Western-language materials, we recommend that you give priority to submitting your request through the RapidILL system.

For copies of materials in other languages or for book loan requests, please submit your request through the NDDS system.

Books borrowed from partner libraries using a reciprocal borrowing card must be returned in person to the lending library before the due date.

The NTHU Library does not provide a return-on-behalf service. The reciprocal borrowing card is not required when returning the books.

The Library does not offer borrowing services to off-campus users. Library materials may be consulted for in-library use only.

Faculty members, staff, and students from other universities may request NTHU Library materials through interlibrary loan services at their home institutions. Alternatively, they may apply for a Library Friend Borrower Card to gain borrowing privileges.

  • If you are affiliated with a university, research institution, or hospital
    Please contact your home institution's library. Your library should submit an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) request to our Library on your behalf through the interlibrary cooperation mechanism.
  • If your institution is not a member of the interlibrary cooperation network, or if you are not currently affiliated with any university, research institution, or hospital
    You may request document delivery or photocopying services through one of the following institutions:
    • National Central Library (Taiwan)
      • Tel: +886-2-2361-9132 ext. 236
      • Address: No. 20, Zhongshan S. Rd., Taipei City, Taiwan
      • Please refer to the National Central Library's Interlibrary Loan service webpage for details.
    • Please refer to the National Central Library’s Interlibrary Loan service webpage for details.
      • Tel: +886-2-2737-7638, 7647 (Account Application), 7639 (Document Request)
      • Address: 15F, No. 106, Sec. 2, Heping E. Rd., Taipei City, Taiwan
      • Please refer to the STPI document delivery service webpage for details.
    • Taipei Public Library
      • Tel: +886-2-2755-2823 ext. 2301–2302
      • Address: No. 125, Sec. 2, Jianguo S. Rd., Taipei City, Taiwan
      • Please refer to the Taipei Public Library's Interlibrary Loan service webpage for details.
  • Important Notice
    All document reproduction requests must comply with applicable copyright laws.