Inter-Library Loans

The Inter-Library loans (ILLs) service is here to get items that you need for your studies and research that we don’t hold in our library.

So, if you need it and we don’t have it, Inter-Library Loan it.

About Inter-Library Loans (ILLs)

We search across UK university libraries and in some cases university libraries abroad, to find items you need for your research, but don’t have access to in our library. Inter-Library loans is not an automated system; our staff process all requests within 3 working days and are able to provide 80% of items within 5 working days. However, some specialist and older items may take significantly longer for us to get for you.

Note: If you have any accessibility requirements, e.g. large print or screen-readable text, please contact lib-accessibility@bradford.ac.uk.

Alternatives

An alternative option to ILLs is to join the SCONUL Access Scheme and visit other member libraries. You can also visit the British Library at either Boston Spa or St. Pancras in London. Check the British Library's catalogue to make sure they have what you want before visiting. Further information can be found on the British Library's webpages.

Copyright restrictions

There are copyright restrictions on what can be supplied via Inter-Library Loans.

Firstly, all copies must be for private study and research ONLY and not for commercial use. If you require a copy which is to be used for commercial purposes then you must say so at the time of request, as this requires us to obtain a copyright cleared copy for you. Extra charges will then apply.

Even if requesting for private research and study there are still limitations as to what you are allowed to copy for yourself, or request as copies from Inter-Library Loans. These restrictions ensure that private research and study is enabled, however the intellectual property rights of the copyright owner are not infringed. The proportion of a book, journal, conference proceeding etc. that may be copied and/or requested/downloaded is restricted to whichever is the greater of:

Up to 10% or one chapter of a book.
Up to 10% or one article of a journal issue.
Up to 10% or one paper of one set of conference proceedings.
Up to 10% or one case of one report of judicial proceedings.
Up to 10% of an anthology of short stories or poems or one short story or one poem of not more than 10 pages.

Also, you must ensure that you do not request a copy of the SAME paper on more than one occasion. You must not supply the copy to any other person. You also must not request the same material, at the same time, for the same purpose as a colleague or another person who you are working with.

These restrictions are all part of Copyright Law and must be adhered to.

Making a request

Before submitting a request

If you need a whole book, please complete the Request an item for purchase form. If we buy the book it will be reserved for you or posted out if you are on a distance learning course. If we cannot purchase it, we will try and borrow a copy for you to use.
Your request will not be processed if you have library fines of £10 or more.
Check the Library Catalogue to ensure we do not have the item.

Submitting a request

Choose the relevant form from our online request forms. Log in with your University username and password.
Complete the request form with as many details as possible.
Read the copyright declaration, you agree to the terms by submitting the form.

Tracking or cancelling a request

Tracking a request

When your request has been processed it will appear on your library record as 'Awaiting Arrival'. The message will disappear once an electronic copy has been received. However, if we have borrowed a paper copy for you, the message will change to 'Ready for Pickup'.

For more detailed information on how your request is progressing contact interloans@bradford.ac.uk.

Cancelling a request

If you no longer need an item you have requested, please contact interloans@bradford.ac.uk as soon as possible.

Receiving your request

Your requested item will be emailed to your university email account. The request information will then be removed from your library record.

Receiving and using requested material in paper copy

Books or other requested items that are received in paper format will appear as 'Ready for Pickup' on your library record. You will receive an email which will include whether the material can be borrowed or is for reference only.

Collecting / Viewing - Come to the library enquiry desk during staffed hours. Borrowable items will be issued to your library account. Reference only items may only be viewed and returned to the library enquiry desk during staffed hours.
Loan Periods – The return date will be attached to the item when you collect it and is decided by the lending library.
Note: Occasionally an item will be recalled by the lending library, which is out of our control. We will notify you if this happens.
Renewals – items do not renew automatically, and we cannot guarantee that the lending library will accept a renewal request. All renewal requests must be sent to interloans@bradford.ac.uk at least 3 working days before the returned date.
Note: You will be asked to pay any renewal charges.
Returns - Items must be returned at the library enquiry desk during staffed hours on or before their due date.
Overdue items - There is a fine of 50p per day up to a maximum of £50 per item on overdue items. If an item is returned late and we are charged a renewal fee by the lending institution, we will pass this charge onto you to pay.
Lost Items - Any charges we receive from the lending library for a lost item will be passed on to you to pay e.g. In 2024 The British Library charged £199.44 which included a non-refundable administration fee of £99.72 even if the item was subsequently found and returned.

Services for other UK and international libraries

Most of our stock is available for loan or as a digital copy (subject to copyright law).

UK libraries

We accept requests from all UK libraries with a British Library account. Email or post your request including both your British Library account number and request number.

Note: If you require a thesis, please request this via the British Library's EThOS service. We are unable to lend physical copies.

Costs

Our charges are the same as the British Library or CONARLS for institutions with a British Library account. If you do not have an account, the charges are:

Book - £17.20.
Article scanned from print with electronic delivery - £15.40.
Article in .pdf format with electronic delivery - £6.54.

Note: These prices will increase by 10% on 1 October 20205 in line with The British Library.

Payment is by invoice, credit (MasterCard/Visa) or debit card. Contact interloans@bradford.ac.uk for details.

International libraries

We accept requests from international libraries. Payment may be made by IFLA voucher, invoice or credit card. Contact interloans@bradford.ac.uk for details.

Contact Inter-Library Loans

JB Priestley Library
University of Bradford, Richmond Road
Bradford BD7 1DP

Email: interloans@bradford.ac.uk

Tel: 01274 233 301