Research Guides: Literatures in English: A Research Guide: Library Services

Borrow | Access | Request

Find, Access, and Request Library Materials
The Rutgers libraries main site for information about and access to request services.

The libraries offer a variety of options for Rutgers faculty, staff, and students to obtain books and other material.

EZBorrow and UBorrow - These services allow Rutgers faculty, staff, and students to request books from partner libraries in PALCI and the Big Ten and receive them normally within 5-7 days.
Request a Scan or Digital Copy - The request options within QuickSearch allow faculty, staff, and students to request digital copies of book chapters and articles that Rutgers only owns in print format.
Interlibrary Loan - For books not owned by Rutgers (or missing or checked out) it is advisable to try E-ZBorrow or UBorrow first. But if a book is not available through either of those services, then try Interlibrary Loan. While E-ZBorrow draws on the holdings of nearby academic libraries, Interlibrary Loan draws on thousands of academic and public libraries around the country. Electronic delivery of articles in journals not owned by Rutgers is also available through Interlibrary loan. Use the Log in to ILLiad option to place your request.

Reference and Consultation Services

Ask a Librarian
Ask a Librarian is the Rutgers Libraries virtual reference service, Send in questions about library holdings, research strategies, elusive citations, policies, hours, etc., and get an answer--within 24-48 hours, except on weekends and holidays, and often faster.
Chat Reference
A chat reference service is available select hours, mornings, afternoons, and evenings, usually Sunday through Thursday. When the service is live, you see an active chat box toward the right side of the library home page.
Subject Librarians Directory
A complete listing and contact information for subject librarians on all of the Rutgers campuses. The Rutgers libraries have subject specialists in many disciplines in the Humanities--Art, Classics, Comparative Literature, Film Studies, French, German, History, Italian, Music, Philoosophy, Religion, Spanish & Portuguese, and Women's Studies.

Most Rutgers libraries also provide in-person reference service. Visit the Hours page to see building hours and select a library to find service desk hours for that library.