Q. I got a message that my ILLiad request was cancelled because it was a textbook, why is that?

Western Libraries, like many academic libraries, does not fill interlibrary loan requests for books that can be identified as "textbooks". This is because circulation periods are inadequate for quarter-long use and textbooks are rarely available to borrow from other libraries. Over the years, we've spent lots of time sending out requests for textbooks again and again but very few of those requests ever actually get filled. While we understand the burden textbook prices place on a student we also feel it is a disservice to spend a lot of time seeking a book, needed for a class, when we know it will likely never arrive.

In some cases you may be able to find and place requests for textbooks through Summit, which will be filled unless the book is on reserves at the owning university.  

If you feel like your request was canceled in error contact the Interlibrary Loan Department by emailing ILLiad@wwu.edu or calling 360-650-3076. More information can also be found on the Interlibrary Loan at Western Libraries webpage (link below).