Inter-library Loans and Document Supply
Welcome to Inter-library Loans
The Bodleian Libraries offer an Inter-library Loan Service to all members of Oxford University, as well as to non-University members. This service seeks to provide access to material not held at the University. The Bodleian Libraries also supply their own material to other libraries and institutions.
Please check SOLO, Oxford Libraries' catalogue, before requesting an Inter-library Loan.
Having valid membership of Oxford University gives you access to all of the Bodleian Libraries. You can visit any of these libraries to view items for yourself.
FAQs
Which of the Bodleian Libraries provide document supply services?
How much does an inter-library loan cost?
Will I get a refund if my request fails?
How does copyright affect my request?
How long does it take to receive the item that I have requested?
Where do I collect the item that I have requested?
Can I receive the item that I requested electronically?
How long can I keep the item that I have requested?
Can I borrow an item which has been lent by another library?
Can I make photocopies from an item that is on loan to me?
What happens if the item is lost or damaged whilst I have it?
Who can use the service?
The Inter-library loan (ILL) service may be used by holders of a current Oxford University card (i.e. blue card holders) at subsidised rates.
Bodleian Library card holders may use the service but are advised to use the services of their own University Library or public library since this will be cheaper. ILL supplied by the Bodleian Libraries to such readers can only be supplied at the non-subsidised rates.
If you work for the NHS, please consult the Health Care Libraries web pages. (opens in new window)
Which of the Bodleian Libraries provide document supply services?
How much does an inter-library loan cost? (opens in a separate window)
Holders of Oxford University cards may request inter-library loans at the subsidised rate, currently £4.75, up to a maximum of 20 requests per academic year for UK items plus up to a maximum of 5 worldwide requests. More requests may be placed but these must be paid for at non-subsidised rates.
Oxford Library card holders (i.e non-members of Oxford University) are advised that they may find using their own library’s services to request an inter-library loan may be more cost effective.
Commercial users. If you are making the request for commercial purposes then the higher rate charges apply regardless of whether you hold an Oxford University Card, or Oxford Library Card.
Please note that the British Library increases its prices annually from 1st August and the Bodleian Libraries are obliged to pass the charges for inter-library loans on to our users. Despite this the service is still heavily subsidised.
Will I get a refund if my request fails?
The standard fee of £4.75 is non refundable.
The fee for a worldwide search will not be refunded if this fails because the actual cost to the library is higher.
If an urgent action is required which the BL is unable to fulfil then the total fee will be refunded.
How does copyright affect my request?
UK copyright guidelines state that you may receive photocopies of:
- One chapter or 5% of a book, whichever is greater
- One article from an issue of a journal
If you require more than the prescribed limit you should ask to borrow the item instead. Copyright law still applies so you will not be able to make copies yourself over the amount shown above.
If you need more than one article from the same journal, or if the copy is for commercial purposes, you may ask for a Copyright Cleared Service which allows you to request more on payment of a copyright fee. The fee is set by the publisher for each journal and is displayed in the British Library Current Serials File (opens in new window)
If you receive your article by Secure Electronic Delivery, copyright law allows you to make a single paper copy of it. You are not permitted to save it in machine readable format.
How do I submit a request?
You may complete an Inter-library Loan/Document Supply Request Form, available in any one of the participating Bodleian Libraries.
Forms must be taken to a library and payment made before the request can be processed. We regret we are not currently able to process payments online.
Please ensure that you complete the form in BLOCK CAPITALS and give as much information as possible. Please attach a reference. You must also ensure you sign the copyright declaration, and answer the question on the reverse of the form about whether the item is for commercial use.
We regret that incomplete or illegible forms cannot be processed.
If your request is for a thesis you will also need to complete a thesis declaration form (TDF). The current method of applying for theses is changing so please consult staff.
Where can I submit a request?
You may submit a request at any of the participating Bodleian Libraries. (opens in new window)
How long does it take to receive the item that I have requested?
Most requests are sent electronically to the British Library. If straightforward, requests for SED and photocopies should be received within 5 working days. Requests for loans take approximately 2 weeks, if the British Library can supply them. If not then the request is passed to other libraries until a library that is willing to lend the item is found; time taken to do this can vary. Requests submitted to foreign libraries may take several months.
The inter-library loans department to which you submitted your application will keep you informed re the progress of your request.
Where do I collect the item I have requested?
You may collect the item from the reading room or library which you specified on the form, at the time you submitted it, unless you are notified otherwise.
Can I receive the item that I requested electronically?
You may ask for an article, or copy of a chapter from a book to be sent to you by SED (Secure Electronic Delivery). This will be sent directly to your email account and you have 14 days in which to read it.
How long can I keep the item that I have requested?
SED can be printed once and the print version retained indefinitely. Remember though that it is only available for 14 days for downloading.
Photocopies may be kept.
Loans are generally for 3 weeks, but if not recalled may be renewed. The first renewal is free but you will be charged £4.15 for subsequent renewals.
Can I borrow an item which has been lent by another library?
Most of the Bodleian Libraries require you to consult loans within the library.
Can I make photocopies of an item on inter-library loan to me?
Different restrictions on photocopying are imposed by libraries lending the items. All photocopying must be done within the UK Copyright guidelines. In addition some libraries insist on any photocopying being done only with permission, or by a staff mediated service, or both.
British theses may not be copied.
What happens if the item is lost or damaged whilst I have it?
If a British Library item is lost or damaged whilst on loan to you, we will pass on to you the amount charged by the British Library for lost items; currently £141.60 (more will be charged if the item is more expensive to replace).
This charge does not mean you have purchased the item; if you subsequently find it, it must be returned and you may be entitled to a partial refund.