On August 6, a patron at the University of Colorado at Boulder placed a request through RapidILL. It looked like any other day-to-day interaction — a simple request for a book chapter, America, Russia, and the Cold War, 1945-2000.

But this wasn’t just any request. It was the 25th million RapidILL request.

Just three hours later, Kansas State University fulfilled it, marking a milestone that tells the story of what RapidILL truly represents: a community of libraries working seamlessly together to connect people with the knowledge they need.

Since its origins, RapidILL has grown into a global community of hundreds of libraries, built around three promises:

• Fast turnaround – most requests are delivered in just 10 hours, with a commitment to fulfillment within 24 hours.
• Seamless automation – RapidILL integrates effortlessly with other library systems, streamlining the borrowing process.
• Community-driven access – reciprocal lending means members share resources freely, with no charges between libraries.

Every one of the 25 million requests fulfilled so far reflects not just technology, but the dedication of librarians and staff who ensure patrons never have to wait long for the information they need.

When Kansas State University learned that they had fulfilled the 25th million request, their reaction captured the essence of RapidILL:

“RapidILL works so smoothly with our workflows, it’s easy to overlook how much we depend on it. We were happy to do our part and fill the 25 millionth RapidILL request. It was nice that it was a book chapter request. Since 2020, those have been a big part of our lending and borrowing through RapidILL.”

On the other side, at the University of Colorado at Boulder, excitement spread knowing that their patron had placed this landmark request:

“It’s so exciting to know that one of our patrons placed the 25th million RapidILL request! RapidILL is an incredible example of libraries working together to make sure people quickly get the information they need. We’re grateful to be part of a community that’s so committed to helping each other.”

These words reflect what numbers alone cannot: the trust, collaboration and daily dedication that keep RapidILL community thriving.

This milestone is more than a statistic. It’s proof of what happens when libraries join forces to remove barriers to access. Since 2020, book chapter requests like this one have become a growing part of RapidILL’s workflows, showing how the system adapts alongside the evolving needs of scholars and students.

At Clarivate, we are deeply proud of the RapidILL community — the librarians, staff and institutions who, every day, keep knowledge flowing. This 25th million request belongs to all of you.

Here’s to the next 25 million.

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