How do I make a request?
1. Before making a request
Please remember to check the Universal Catalogue and other card catalogues before submitting the request to ensure as best you can that the item you require is not already available in Cambridge University.
2. Completing a request form
If you are unable to find any evidence that the item you require is available in Cambridge you should fill in the appropriate form (books, periodicals, or theses). Copies of these forms are available at the Commonwealth Room enquiry desk (and in the main Reading Room on Saturday afternoons). Alternatively, you can find the appropriate forms here (please print out and submit to the ILL department with payment).
Please note that a separate form must be completed for each item requested and all loaned items on Inter-Library Loan are for reference use in the Commonwealth Room only - home reading is not permitted.
Completed request forms should be handed in at the Commonwealth Room enquiry desk, together with the appropriate fee (see below). Subsequently, should it turn out that the item cannot be supplied you will be entitled to a full refund, notification of which will be sent to you.
3. Some points to note
- Please supply your full postal address and e-mail, as we use a system independent from the Library's circulation system.
- Payment: The fee for an Inter-Library Loan request is currently £3.00 for members of Cambridge University and £6.00 for all other readers. Payment can be made in cash or by cheque made payable to "University of Cambridge".
- Multi-volume sets: Please complete a separate application form for each volume required. Libraries will charge per volume.
- Journal articles: By law you may only request one article from any single journal issue. If you require more than one article please request the whole issue for loan, or speak to the ILL staff about obtaining "copyright fee paid" items from the British Library Document Supply Centre.
- British Ph.D. Theses: Ph.D. theses submitted at almost 100 UK universities are obtainable from EThOS, a service set up to provide electronic access to all theses from participating institutions whether submitted as hardcopy or electronically. Over 250,000 theses are already available through EThOS.
- Non-Roman script: Since this cannot be keyed for electronic transmission, please transliterate the request and also hand in a copy of the reference in the original script.
- Latest Acceptable Date: All requests are treated with equal urgency, but if there is a time after which the item will no longer be of use then please let us know.
- Incomplete forms: Lack of complete information can result in a delay of requested material.