Inter-library requests

Our inter-library requests service (also known as inter-library loans) allows you to request items that aren't available in Oxford libraries from other institutions in the UK and worldwide.

This service is available to:

  • current University of Oxford members
  • Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) Trust staff with a valid Bodleian Health Care Libraries card.

Requests are free of charge. However, there are costs to the Bodleian, so please try to request items that are essential to your work. 

Institutions wishing to request items held within Bodleian collections should see our information on requests from other libraries.  

What can I request?

You can request books, journal articles and book chapters. We also accept requests for theses, dissertations and audio-visual materials, but these may be more difficult to obtain.

Place a request

  1. First, check SOLO thoroughly to make sure the material you need isn't held in an Oxford library. Ask library staff if you have any questions.
  2. You can place your request on SOLO via the 'Need more?' link at the top of the page. You'll need to log in with your Single Sign-On (SSO) or Bodleian Libraries account details. Your contact details will be automatically imported.
  3. Please complete the form with as much information as possible to help our team locate the item in other libraries.

If possible, please provide the ISBN (for a book or book chapter) or ISSN (for a journal article). This will help to speed up request processing. For some chapter and article requests, this may mean receiving the scan within 24 hours. 

Each reader may have up to 5 active requests. This limit helps us to maintain a high standard of service for everyone. After you've finished consulting print items, or once your digital items have been sent to you, you'll be able to place further requests within this limit.

You can only receive the same physical item on two separate occasions. If you need more time to consult an item, please contact the inter-library requests team about the possibility of a renewal.

 

We’ll let you know if we’re unable to supply your item. You may want to recommend a purchase instead, or you can also speak to your subject librarian for advice on alternative resources. 

You can use the interlibrary requests service is used to obtain material not held by the Bodleian Libraries.

Scan and Deliver provides scans from items held within eligible Bodleian collections. If the chapter or article you are looking for is available in Bodleian Offsite Storage or in one of the Bodleian reading rooms, please place a Scan and Deliver request for it via the relevant SOLO record. 

If the item you need is a very recent publication or you require a full copy of a title only available as an e-book, you may want to recommend a purchase instead. This will then be reviewed by the relevant subject librarian and you’ll be advised of the outcome. 

Copyright and usage

When placing a request, you must agree to the copyright declaration on the request form.

UK copyright guidelines state that you may receive copies of:

  • one chapter or 5% of a book, whichever is greater;
  • one article from an issue of a journal.

Copies can only be supplied for non-commercial research or private study, and must not be shared. 

What if I need more than the copyright limit?

If you require more than the prescribed limit, you should ask to borrow the item instead. Copyright law still applies, so you won't be able to make copies over the amount shown above. 

Supplying libraries may impose different restrictions on copying from items. Some libraries insist on any copying being done only with permission, or by a staff-mediated service.

Receiving your item

You can track your request in the ‘Requests’ tab of My SOLO.

Physical items

We'll deliver physical items to the library you selected from available destinations in the online form. We can deliver requests to the following participating libraries:

 

Please note: items borrowed from institutions outside the UK can only be used in the Bodleian Old Library. If this is the case, and you’ve requested delivery to another library, you’ll be notified ahead of the item’s arrival. 

You'll receive an email when your item is ready for consultation.

Electronic copies

We'll email electronic copies of articles or chapters directly to you where possible. If you’re an Oxford University member, you’ll need your SSO details to access the copy. If you experience any issues accessing your request, please contact the inter-library requests team.

Sometimes we'll need to send copies to you in paper format instead. We'll send these to the college or departmental address in your reader record.

Delivery times

Our typical delivery times are:

  • UK loans: 1–2 weeks
  • International loans: 2–6 weeks
  • Electronic scans: often within 24 hours, though some may take longer

If you need an item by a certain date, please specify this when submitting your request. Staff may contact you if it is not possible to fulfill your request within this timeframe. 

Loan periods and conditions

Loan periods vary, but are generally between 2 – 6 weeks. 

Most loans are for use within the library only. However, depending on the delivery destination that you have selected, if the supplier permits lending you may be able to borrow the item. Please consult library staff.

Renewals and recalls

It may be possible to renew your inter-library loan, depending on the loan conditions specified by the supplying library and whether the item is required by one of their own readers. If you need longer to consult the item, please contact the inter-library requests team as soon as possible before the due date. 

If requested by the lending library, your inter-library loan may be subject to an immediate recall. If this is the case, you'll be notified as soon as possible. 

Lost or damaged items

If an inter-library loan 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 £235.70. More will be charged if the item is more expensive to replace.

This charge does not mean you have purchased the item. If it is later found, the item must be returned and you may be entitled to a partial refund.

Contact and support

If you have a query about this service, contact the Inter-Library Requests team. 

Email: docdel@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1865 277069

The team are available Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. 

Staff at any Bodleian library can also assist with enquiries.

Related links