Inter Library Loan and Resource Supply

Our service

Our aim is to provide you with what you need as quickly as we can. For this reason we try to source and deliver all resources electronically where possible. If you would prefer a print book just let us know in the notes box in the request form. All Inter Library Loans are dependent on us receiving items from other institutions and supply organisations. Please be aware that in some cases, there may be national waiting lists for niche or high demand items.

The supply times of other institutions and supply organisations can vary so please allow at least 2 weeks for an item (book or journal article) to be available, irrespective of format supplied. If we anticipate a delay in supply longer than this we will inform you.

With the exception of the British Library renewal fee the University will pay any costs involved in supplying the resources. There's no limit to the number of requests you can make in a year though there is a maximum of 20 physical loans that can be borrowed at any one time.

Please note that external borrowers and students on a short course (lasting 3 months or less) are ineligible for the Inter Library Loans service.

Registered Accessibility Service users will be sent resources that are tailored to your needs as outlined in their case file. You must be registered with the Library's Accessibility Support services to receive these services.

If you have any questions, contact us at interlibrary@yorksj.ac.uk.

Requesting a book

Books will be provided as ebooks where possible. See below for more information on collecting a physical copy of a book.

We only supply Inter Library Loan copies of items we do not own. If there is an ebook already available, please use this.

If your requested book is available from the British Library it can be sent directly to your home address. Please enter your address in the notes field on the interlending form. If you are based at our York campus and would prefer the book to be sent to Fountains please enter 'YSJ library'. Books from other institutions cannot be posted out and must be collected from Fountains.

British Library books renewals currently incur a £6.25 charge. Accessibility Service users are exempt from this. You can return your book to avoid this charge.

If your loan is from another institution (this should be indicated inside the book's front cover) please email interlibrary@yorksj.ac.uk to ask for a renewal. We will email the loaning university library and ask for a renewal. Renewals from other university libraries are free but not guaranteed.

British Library books can be returned by post using the address label provided or, if you are based on the York campus, returned to the Information Desk in Fountains. Please note that lost British Library books incur a charge of £125 so please keep the proof of postage.

If you are based on our York Campus, inter lending books from other institutions can be returned to the Information Desk in Fountains. Please note, by requesting an inter lending book, you are responsible for returning it on time or paying the replacement costs if the item is lost.

If you need a book chapter it will be delivered as a PDF to your York St John email address.

Collecting a book

If you are based on our York campus, you will receive an email when your loan is ready to collect. You can collect the item from the Information Services desk on the ground floor of the Fountain's Library. The desk's opening hours are available on the Library opening times page. You can also return your loan to the Information Services desk.

If you are based on our London campus we will either supply books electronically or directly to you by post from the British Library. British Library books can be returned by post using the address label provided.

Requesting a journal article

Journal articles from other institutions will be delivered as a PDF to your York St John email address.

If the article is from the British Library you will receive a link to your York St John email that allows you to download the PDF. Please note this link expires after 30 days.

Requesting a thesis

If a PhD thesis is not available on EThOS, or is listed but not available to download, we can request a digitisation for you. Fill in the request from as you would for a book.

Contact us

If you have any questions you can contact us at interlibrary@yorksj.ac.uk.