Inter-library loans for University of Bristol staff and students
Material which is not available anywhere in the library system here may be obtained using the Inter-Library Loans service. This service is available to all departmental members of staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students. Retired or non-departmental members of staff should talk to the Inter-Library Loans staff or staff in their branch library before making requests.
Please be aware that you will be charged for any inter-library loan requests you make. Your department may be able to pay for your inter-library loans by providing you with ILL vouchers. Details of who holds these vouchers for your department are generally available through the Subject pages (see the 'Inter-Library Loans and ILL vouchers' section of 'Getting started') or you could ask in your department office.
You may also wish to consult our FAQ section for more information.
Making an Inter-Library Loan Request
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Before you start: Before placing an inter-library loan please check the following to ensure that we don't already have access to the item you require:
Your Subject Librarian can help with any questions regarding searching the above resources or you may wish to view the Online Video Tutorials on how to use the Library Catalogue and Metalib.
- Commercial and non-commercial research: If your request is for commercial research please go to the copies for commercial research page and follow the instructions given there.
- Is your request urgent? If you require the Urgent Service, please contact the Inter-Library Loans office, (extension 88008 or 88026). We can obtain copies the same day for 4 vouchers or £32 including VAT and we can obtain loans or copies within 24 hours for 3 vouchers or £24 including VAT.
- Getting started: To place an inter-library loan request use the 'Inter-Library Loans' option in the top navigation of the Library Catalogue.
- Choice of Format: From the resulting page choose from the two options offered, 'Non Journal' or 'Journal', the one that best describes the format of the item that you require (if, however, your request is for commercial research please contact Inter-Library Loans staff as stated). Your format selection will decide the fields you need to complete on the next page. You will need to sign in with your University of Bristol username and password to proceed to the submission forms.
- Submitting your request: On the submission form complete as many details as you can, adding a free-text note if required. Choose the branch that you wish to collect the item from (remembering that photocopies will be sent directly to the address on your library record) and finally click on 'Submit Request'. A request number will be displayed, take note of this number as it will help us trace your request if needed.
- Delivery: Some inter-library loan requests are sent as electronic copies directly from the supplier to your email address. Your email address on your library record will be used. Please download a test document to see if your machine (either personal or university-owned) is set up to receive electronic ILL documents.
- Confined Loans: If an item is unobtainable as a loan you can take away from the library, we may have to provide a confined inter-library loan, which must be consulted in one of our libraries. If you are unable to use a confined loan, please note this in your request.
- Payment: When your inter-library loan item has arrived a charge will be added to your library account. The standard charge is one ILL voucher or £8. There are inter-library loan services where the charge will be more; these services are detailed before you complete the online request form.
- Renewal: If you need to renew an inter-library loan (you will usually be granted six weeks loan) then email or telephone Inter-Library Loans staff who will make every effort to arrange this for you. Inter-library loans cannot be renewed through the Library Catalogue.
- Cancellation: If you wish to cancel a request, contact us as soon as possible. We will try to prevent the request being supplied but this is at the discretion of the lending library. If the request cannot be cancelled you will be charged for it.
- Returning: Please return the inter-library loans you have borrowed to the branch where you collected them by the date indicated on you list of loans in the 'My Library Account' section of the Library Catalogue and on the item (unless it has been recalled or renewed during your loan). Photocopied inter-library loan items are generally for you retention, this will be clearly labelled on the item if this is the case.
- Satisfaction with our service: If you have any comments and/or queries please contact us.