If the resource you need for your research is not held in the Library, you can make an interlibrary loan request through our Interlending and Document Supply (ILDS) Service.
We will try and source your material from the British Library or other UK institutions, and where necessary from overseas institutions.
Sometimes this isn't possible (eg recently published books) and we may attempt to purchase a copy. If we do this, we will email you when the book becomes available.
If you request an article or chapter and it is supplied from the British Library, please see the following information for details on creating and activating your account:
Type | Notes |
---|---|
British Doctoral Theses |
Please search on EThOS (Electronic Theses Online Service) to see if the required title is already available in a digitised, electronic format for immediate free download; if it isn’t, please place a normal Interlending request to us using the Books, Chapters and Theses request form. If we have to request digitisation from the owning institution, please allow up to 30 days for the thesis to be supplied to EThOS and then scanned. Most higher education institutions will not lend original or only copies of their doctoral theses, however, you may be able to visit the institution to consult the thesis in person. |
American Doctoral Theses |
Make your request using the Interlending request form as above. We may be able to order an electronic or paper copy for you to keep. |
British and American MA/MSc and all other foreign Theses |
Make your request for these using the Interlending request form as above. We will try to borrow a copy directly from the awarding institution or obtain an electronic copy for you. This may take some time and is not always successful. |
University staff and students:
1. Select the request form you require:
2. Complete the form with as much information as you have.
3. Submit the request.
Please note, there is a no longer a charge for this service.
External members of the Library:
1. Please email your request to infodir-ilds@york.ac.uk
2. There is a limit of 15 requests per year of membership
3. Please note, there is a charge for the following services:
4. You may also be able to register for a personal account with the British Library and request copies directly from them. Please see the following information on the British Library website.
Interlending items you have requested are listed in your Library Account.
Interpreting the status of your request:
Status | |
Created borrowing request | New request that is waiting to be processed by the Library |
Request sent to partner | A possible lending library has been found and we are waiting for a response |
Physically received by the library | Item has arrived and is awaiting collection from the Library holdshelf |
Cancelling your request
If the status of the request is ‘Created borrowing request’ you can cancel it yourself using the ‘Cancel’ option next to it under ‘Actions’.
If the status is anything other, please contact the Library to request a cancellation.
Interlending items you have on loan are listed in your Library Account.
If you want to renew an Interlending item, please only do so 2-3 days before the return date.
To renew an item that you have on loan:
To renew an item that is for use in the library only:
Most items can be renewed if they are not needed by someone else.
Interlending items you have on loan are listed in your Library Account, along with the due date.
Please return loans to the Morrell Library or the King's Manor Library by the due date.
If you keep an item that has been recalled, or if you lose it, the British Library (which supplies many of the items) may charge you £174.50 to cover administration and the cost of a replacement. This charge is non-refundable. Other libraries will have their own charges.
Visit the British Library at Boston Spa
- You can consult up to 24 items.
- The Library operates a free weekly minibus service.
Find out more:
If we cannot find an item in any UK library we may be able to extend the search abroad.
As this can be a lengthy and expensive service it should be confined to essential items only.
There may be other options for using resources not held in York. The SCONUL Access Scheme gives access to other HE libraries throughout the county and the British Library.
We are happy to supply material to other libraries. Please get in touch by email: infodir-ilds@york.ac.uk
Please note, we do not lend:
Help with Interlending
For help or information:
- Email us via LibAnswers
- Tel: +44 (0)1904 323876