Library Assist: Answers

An Inter-Library Loan (ILL) is a way of requesting an item you need for your study that the University Library does not have in its print or online collections.

The ILL service is open to all University students and staff, but not SCONUL or Alumni card holders. 

We do not charge you for this service, unless you lose or damage a physical item you have borrowed.

What can I request?

• single journal articles and conference papers
• single book chapters
• whole printed books and whole issues of printed journals*
• theses*

Is there anything I cannot request?

Some items are limited by format, licenses, copyright law and Library policy:

1. an entire eBook - licenses simply don't allow them to be 'loaned' from one Library to another. However, in many cases we can ask for one chapter from the eBook if you can tell us which chapter you need on the ILL request form.
2. more than one article from the exact same journal issue.
3. more than one chapter from the same book title, even if it is a different edition.
4. if our Library ONLY has an online copy of a book and you want a print version, we cannot use the ILL service to do that. If you need help using the online version please contact the Library.
5. related to point 1 - if our Library ONLY has a print copy of a book and you are unable to come to a University campus to collect it, we cannot use the ILL service to get an eBook version for you. We also cannot digitise the entire print book from our Library as that would break copyright law. Please contact us if you need advice.

How do I make a request?

• Each item needs to be requested via our online form - the link is under 'How do I make a request' on our ILL web page.
• Please note: if you cannot login to the Library catalogue and access the form it may mean you don't have a Library account. Contact the Library for advice.

How are ILLs delivered?

• Where possible, single articles and book chapters will be delivered electronically to your University email address. Depending on the Library that has supplied it, it will either be attached as a PDF copy or you may need to click on a link within the email to access it. Documents must be downloaded within 45 days of the date of the email, or within 30 days if it is from the British Library. If you do receive an item from the British Library and have any problems opening it, please see our comprehensive FAQ below.
• When a whole print item is requested, we will try to locate a Library with a physical copy to lend us on your behalf. If we are successful, we will email you when it is ready to collect from the Help Desk at the Campus Library you chose when you made the request - Harrison, Walsall or Hutchison Library (not Springfield). Please note: sometimes lending libraries impose conditions on the loan so it may not always be possible for items to be taken out of the University Library building. If this is the case, Library staff will explain when you come to the Help Desk.

If you have any questions or problem making the request, please contact the Library.