Inter-library loans
Inter-library Loans Librarian, Ann Aldridge
Items not held by the Library may be requested through the inter-library loans service. The item must be needed for research or course work, and not easily available from any other library in London. We obtain most items from the British Library Document Supply Centre. We do not normally obtain items on inter-library loan if they are in stock at the University of London Library (select the link to search the ULL catalogue). You can also search the catalogues of other University of London libraries and the Union List of Serials.
Types of material available on inter-library loan
Photocopies
Periodical articles are usually supplied as photocopies for you to keep. You may not request more than one article from the same periodical issue, due to copyright regulations. (If a whole issue is required, we may be able to borrow a loan copy from the British Library). A conference paper or a single chapter in a book may also be requested as a photocopy. A copyright declaration must be signed when collecting the item.
Loans
Most English language books are available on loan from the British Library. If the book is not in stock there other locations will be tried. The loan period is ususally six weeks, subject to recall by the supplying library after three weeks. Heavily-used books are lent for three weeks only.
Reference-only material
Some books are lent to use in the Library only. This condition is made by the lending library and must be observed.
UK Theses
UK theses are no longer supplied on microfilm by the British Library. You can use the Electronic Theses Online Service ETHOS to search for and order a digital copy of a thesis yourself. You will need to register and login before you can order theses, though you can search without registering. Many theses are available for immediate download free of charge. If a thesis has not yet been digitized there may be a charge.
How to apply for an inter-library loan
You may input your requests on the Library catalogue.
Click on Inter-Library Loans and log in with your user ID and PIN.
Select the request form, either book or journal, and complete with as much information as possible.
Submit the request and the message "ILL request was registered" will appear.
When you have finished, click on End Session to log out.
How to check on the progress of your requests
You may check "Your library record" on the catalogue to look at a list of your active requests and check on their progress. We will also notify you by letter or email.
Collecting inter-library loans
We will let you know by email when your request arrives. Please collect it from the Library Helpdesk.
Renewing books
If you would like to renew an ILL book, please contact Ann Aldridge by telephone (020 7919 7164) or e-mail inter.library.loans@gold.ac.uk. Please apply for renewal before the loan period has expired. It is usually possible to extend the loan period for a further three weeks, except when the item has been recalled by the supplying Library. Please bear in mind that the British Library charges £4.15 for renewals, so we would not normally renew a book more than once.
Overdue books
Fines on overdue books are charged at 20p per day. If an item is kept overdue after a recall notice has been sent, you will be charged for the replacement cost. The British Library charges £151.60 + VAT for lost items, which you will be asked to pay.