Inter-Library Loans
Submit a request for a book
Submit a request for a journal article
What we do
The Inter-Library loans service provides items
for staff and students which are not held at this library. We
are unable to supply items which are already available at York St
John University (this includes items which are out on loan). This
service is free of charge for most staff and students* and includes
books, journal articles, and conference papers. All inter-library
loan items must be used for academic purposes to comply with our
Higher Education Copyright Licence You can get the information
direct to your iPhone or
Android device.
*Not all students qualify for
inter-library loans, and some allocations vary, so please check
here for your privileges
You must do the following before
submitting an inter-library loan request:
- Make sure you have checked
the library catalogue
before you submit a request. If we already have the item in stock,
or it is available via full text or e-book access, we will not
process the request.
- Make sure the item is not
available free online. We will not process the request if this is
the case. We recommend you use Google Scholar to see if this
article is available through open access.
- Check that you have no
outstanding fines totalling £10 or more. If your account is blocked
we are unable to proceed, so please reduce your fines so they are
below £10.
- Make sure you have enough
requests remaining. You can visit the Question Point on the ground
floor of the library or call 01904 876696 for this
information.
- Check you have the relevant
information filled out on the form. Full details can be found
here*.
- If you are submitting a
journal or conference paper request, please make sure you sign the
form to adhere with copyright legislation.
*Due to copyright restrictions,
we are unable to accept more than one article from any single
journal issue. If you have any questions, please ask at the
Question Point on the ground floor of the library.
How do I make a
request?
Requests can be made by either filling in the
forms online, or visiting the Question Point on the ground floor of
the library for a form. Please contact us with any further
questions.
How long will it
take?
The time frame for receiving requests can vary
greatly and entirely depends on the borrowing library’s
circumstances and the time of year you submit a request. Usually,
items can take approximately 2 weeks to arrive. However, the
waiting period can be longer during busy periods of the year (i.e.
dissertations). Please bear in mind that if you are submitting
articles for your own dissertation, many other third years will be
doing the same. We recommend you leave sufficient time (between 3-4
weeks) during these busy periods to allow for this possibility.
How will I know when my request
has arrived?
You will receive an email to your university
email account informing you that your item is ready to collect.
This email will also contain information about the nature of the
item. This will include:
· If the item is a
book, any conditions the borrowing library has made, which may
include reference only or no renewals
· When the item is
due back
To collect your item, you will need to come to
the Question Point on the ground floor during
staffed hours.
What happens if you can’t get the
item I need?
If this happens, we will inform you via your
university email. If a library cannot lend us an item from their
stock, you may be able to visit and consult the item on their
premises. To visit other academic institutions, you may
require a SCONUL card*. As a student, you can acquire this
card by visiting Question Point with your student id and filling in
a short form. We will advise you where the item is and any
information you need prior to visiting the library.
*The type of SCONUL access you are
allowed depends on your level of study, please check the
SCONUL Access
website to find out the type of access you are
permitted.
I received an email message
informing me my item is available, but I can only use it in the
library. Why?
Libraries lending items through inter-library
loans will occasionally place stipulations regarding how the item
may be used. The lending library may have various reasons why
they do not want an item to leave the library, for example, if it
is a very expensive or delicate item. By allowing the book to be
locked away in the library office when not in use, this provides
extra protection for valued items and helps ensure they will be
returned promptly to the owning library.
I have received my Inter-library
loan, but I need it for longer. Can I renew it?
The ability to renew an item depends on the
lending library. We will need to know at least one week before the
due date if you wish to renew. If the library allows renewals, we
are happy to request one, however these are never guaranteed.
Please see below for reasons why items may not be
renewable.
Why am I being
charged?
Students are charged a fee of £5 for
renewing an inter-library loan item. This fee helps
us cover our costs of running the inter-library loan service.
We want students to have access to the sources they need to
complete exceptional work. However, the average inter-library
loan costs the University between £10 and £15 and the renewal fees
partially cover those costs.
I was
told I can’t renew this item, why is this?
There may be several reasons why an item
cannot be renewed. We may be told in advance if an item cannot be
renewed. This will be indicated in the email we send you as
well as the blue card given with the item. If the item is heavily
used or a user from the owning library is waiting, we may not be
able to secure a renewal. If this happens after you have paid the
£5 renewal fee, we will refund you.
How do I return my
items?
We ask you to return your items during staffed
hours at the Question Point in the library, rather than at
self-service. This helps us to minimize the risk of the book being
lost within our own library stock, and you facing lost book
charges. The average book replacement cost for one book is
currently over £100.
Inter-Library Loan
Fines
Overdue Inter-Library loans are charged at 50p
per day, so please ensure you return your item promptly. A
reminder email is sent to you a week in advance of the item being
due back.