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home > reference & research > ask a librarian > interlibrary loan > tips on using mnlink
  • Sign in by typing the barcode number from your library card. You don't need to enter a PIN/Password. Choose Hennepin County Library from the drop-down menu as your Pick Up Location.

  • Once you are signed in, you'll find that searching MnLINK is similar to searching other library catalogs, with drop-down menus giving a wide variety of search options. There is also a "Help" option covering most any situation that would arise. Note: The results of your search may appear slowly. The more matches found, the longer it will take to display the search results.

  • Once you have search results, click on Details for an item to verify it is the one you want and click on Get It! The details are transferred automatically to a request form. Note: For journal articles or multi-volume sets, please complete Part Details (one request per form). Use the "Additional Information" box to indicate if you do not need the item after a certain date or if you want ILL staff to search nationally if the item is not in MNLink. Choose a Pick Up Location with the Hennepin County Library system, review the form and click SUBMIT.

  • If you can't find your item in MnLINK, use the "Create Request" form to request it or use Ask a Librarian for help. Please indicate if you will not need the item after a certain date or if you want ILL staff to search nationally for the item. ILL Staff will not conduct a national search for an item unless one is specifically requested.

  • You can check the status of your requests by signing in to MnLINK and clicking on My Requests in the left-hand menu, choosing the Sort method you want, and clicking Search.

  • To cancel requests, contact ILL staff for information.

  • When requesting a specific format, version, or edition, make sure the appropriate information is in the Edition line (e.g. DVD ed., VHS ed., Unabridged, etc.)

  • Request only one item or part per form. With multipart items, specify the needed volume or part in the Special Instructions box.
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    Updated Sept. 8, 2009
    © Hennepin County Library
    We welcome your comments and suggestions.