What are Inter Library Loans?
If you can’t find what you're looking for across Cambridge University Libraries, we can help you. Current staff and students can submit an Interlibrary Loan request, and library staff will work with libraries around the world to obtain a print or electronic copy for you.
Information for University of Cambridge current staff and students (including NHS)
Things to Know
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Interlibrary Loans are only available to Current Staff and Current Students of the University of Cambridge.
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NHS members of the library who require material not currently available should contact the Biomedical Campus Library team.
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Requests are free for Current Staff and Students of the University of Cambridge and limited to 5 per user within 24 hours.
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Depending on where the item is located it can take several weeks for a print item to arrive. Less time for a scan of a chapter or article.
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Materials obtained by Interlibrary Loan must be consulted in person in the University Library’s Main Reading Room.
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Items can be recalled by their home institution at any time.
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Inter library Loan items are not always eligible for renewal.
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Interlibrary Loan items come supplied with information about due dates and copying information. Please always keep that information with the item.
Eligible Material
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Material not available within Cambridge University Libraries
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Material not available through Request a Digital Copy on iDiscover
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Material not available via Electronic Legal Deposit
Access the Online Inter-Library Loan Form
Information for institutions requesting Inter Library Loans
The following information is for other institutions wishing to use Interlibrary Loans to borrow material from Cambridge University Libraries.
Q. Submitting a Request
Q. Lending policy
We can supply loans of physical books, and copies or scans of book chapters and journal articles.
Loan conditions
All loaned items are for library use only and cannot be taken out of the borrowing library for home reading. We lend material for 6 weeks and are happy to offer one free renewal per item, provided that the item has not been recalled by our own readers. Please contact us to request a renewal.
Material not available for Interlibrary loan
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Cambridge Theses *
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Special Collections
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Newspapers
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Books in Reference Classes
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Unsuitably bound materials e.g. loose-leaf, spiral bound etc.
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Digital Material e.g. DVDs, CDs, Audio/Video cassettes
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Currently we are unable to accept requests for physical loans from international libraries.
*For information on acquiring a copy of a thesis see the FAQs on the Cultural Heritage Imaging Laboratory – Part of Cambridge University Libraries.
Lost or damaged items
The requesting library is responsible for the item and may be charged for repair or replacement if loss or damage occurs.
Please ensure that all items are posted used tracked delivery.
Q. Prices and Payment
UK
Payment options:
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BLDSC Billing Account Number. Ensure that you clearly state your request number.
Prices:
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Charges follow standard British Library prices.
International libraries including Republic of Ireland
Payment options:
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IFLA vouchers are also accepted are preferred.
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British Library Billing Accounts are also accepted.
Please contact us if you need further information.
Prices:
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International Libraries & ROI: 2.0 IFLA Vouchers
(Currently we are unable to accept requests for physical loans from international libraries.)
Q. Contact information & Postal Address
Contact information
If you need advice about a request, eligibility, or charges contact the team (Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00)
Email: ill@lib.cam.ac.uk
Postal information
Please ensure that all items are posted used tracked delivery.
Parcels should be addressed to:
Inter Library Loans
Cambridge University Library
West Road
Cambridge
CB3 9dR
UK