Q. What is the difference between Prospector and Interlibrary Loan?

 Prospector

• Borrow books, videos. and audio CDs from over 200 Colorado libraries.
• Service is limited to UW students, faculty, and staff (no public account holders).
• Search the Prospector database directly and click on the "Request item" link. You can track the request and obtain renewals through My Accounts.
• If the item is available at a participating library, you receive it in 4-7 business days.
• Notification of arrival of the item is sent to your UW email address.
• Loan periods and renewals on books (and some CDs) are for three weeks with one renewal; and videos (and some CDs) are one week with no renewals.

 Interlibrary

 Loan

• Borrow books, videos and audio CDs as well as obtain electronic copies of journal articles and book chapters from UW and 10,000 libraries world-wide.
• There are two ways to order materials: 
  • 1) borrow by searching the UW collections with QuickSearch or any electronic database and then clicking on Interlibrary Loan button or
  • 2) fill out request forms through your Interlibrary Loan account. From your account you can also track requests, request renewals, and obtain scanned copies. Here is a link to the Interlibrary Loan policy page.
• If loans or copies are available at UW, you will receive notification in 2-3 days.
• If copies are from other libraries, you will receive it digitally in 4-5 days.
• If loans are from other libraries, you will receive the book in 3-21 days.
• Loan periods and renewals are determined by lending library.