Information for other libraries
Overseas libraries: please click here
The Inter-Library Loans Department welcomes requests from Libraries within the UK and Republic of Ireland. We also handle requests for many
Departmental and Faculty Libraries within the University of Cambridge.
However, requests for the Medical Library (CA/M-7) and the Central Science Library (CA/U-2) should be sent directly to them.
The Central Science Library also handles all requests for the Betty and Gordon Moore Library.
We accept requests by e-mail, mail, fax and phone. Payment is made by British Library billing account so please remember to include in your request your account no. and a request/reference number.
Our standard charges are as follows:
- Photocopy of an article: £7.20 (+VAT)
- Loan: £11.00
We are unable to accept direct requests for Copyright Fee Paid items. Please send these requests to the British Library Document Supply Centre using 'stock and location search' (SL) stating that Cambridge holds this item. BLDSC will then forward the request to us.
Urgent Action Service
We can offer document supply within 24 hours of a request being made. Our urgent action charges are as follows:
- Photocopy of an article by post or fax: £13.50 (+ VAT)
- Loan - posted same day: £18.50
We normally ask you to send an e-mail request, but please phone first as our staff will be able to advise whether or not we will be able to fulfil your request.
Our contact details are as follows:
Inter-Library Loans
Cambridge University Library
West Road
Cambridge CB4 9DR
Telephone: +44 (0) 1223 333039 / 333 080
Fax: +44 (0) 1223 333039
All e-mail requests should be sent to ill@lib.cam.ac.uk.
Lending policy
We lend a considerable percentage of our holdings except:
- Pre-1900 books in Rare Books classes (although we may be able to provide a photocopy if the item is out of copyright)
- British books published within the last five years received under legal deposit
- Books in reference classes
- Unsuitably bound items (spiral bound, ring-binder, loose-leaf, etc.)
- Manuscripts
- Special collections
- Cambridge theses
- Newspapers
In addition,
- We are unable to photocopy articles from journals received under legal deposit which have been published within the last two years
Speculative requests
We are happy to accept speculative requests. Not all our holdings are listed on our Universal Catalogue. There are various printed catalogues still in use, e.g. pre-1978 supplementary material, Official Publications, pamphlets. There are also many books still waiting to be catalogued. Therefore, if you require a book not listed, please still apply as we may be able to help.