Skip to Main Content

InterLibrary Loan

Borrowing from Other Libraries

 

Novanet Express

Allows you to send a request to borrow a book or other item from other Novanet Libraries.
 

Interlibrary Loan

Allows you to acquire books and articles that are not available on Novanet, but are available at other libraries across Canada and Internationally. Your username is the barcode number (29377...) on the backside of your myCBUcard, and your password is your surname.

 

Questions? Email: Interlibrary_Loans@cbu.ca.

 

Who can borrow through these services?

Novanet Express and Interlibrary Loan services are available to currently-registered students, staff and faculty of Cape Breton University, as well as off-campus borrowers holding a Novanet-wide borrowing card.

How long will it take for my material to arrive?

Items ordered through Novanet Express should arrive within three to five business days. Notifications are sent by email to the address in your library record. Check your email frequently and be sure to look for messages that may have been put into a junk or spam folder.

Since books ordered through Interlibrary Loan are shipped greater distances by mail, allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery. Copies of journal articles ordered through Interlibrary Loan often arrive within just a few days and can usually be delivered to you directly by email. Materials ordered from outside of Canada may take longer. In any case, although we will try to meet your deadlines, Interlibrary Loan is not able to guarantee delivery.

How much does it cost?

Our Interlibrary loan services are free to you. In exceptional cases, there could be a charge for extraordinary delivery of material through Interlibrary Loan, but only if you have agreed to the cost in advance.

Where can I pick up material that has arrived?

You will be contacted by email once an interlibrary loan item arrives. Materials can be picked up at the Circulation Desk. Whenever possible, copies of journal articles will be sent directly to your email address.

How do I submit a request? (Novanet Express)

 Any circulating book or full-text article held at another Novanet library may be ordered directly from the catalogue through the Novanet Express delivery service. You may also borrow books in person from any Novanet library using your registered CBU ID card.

 

Follow these steps to place a request:
  • Visit the Novanet Catalgue.
  • Log into your Novanet Account (top right).
  • Use the search bar to find the item you're looking for (making sure you're searching "Everything", not just "CBU").
  • Click on the link to "Request Item" or "Request From Other Libraries."
  • Fill out the form and select a pick up location.
  • You will receive an email when the item is available to be picked up.

 

A list of all items you request can be monitored through your Library Account.

System Changes

As of December 19, 2025, CBU will end its use of the Relais ILL management service.

Students, employees, and community borrowers may continue to request interlibrary loans and document delivery via Novanet.

Please contact Interlibrary_Loans@cbu.ca to request assistance or additional information.

 

 

Information for Other Libraries

CBU Library is in the process of adding Alma Resource Sharing Partners. If your library is interested in creating a partnership, please email: Interlibrary_Loans@cbu.ca.

If you do not use Alma Peer to Peer Resource Sharing, please submit requests via email until we have fully implemented our new systems. Email: Interlibrary_Loans@cbu.ca.