Inter Library Loans

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply and who pays?
How long does it take?
Is there a limit to the number of requests I can make?
How do I make a request?
How do I know when it's in?
Can I take an ILL book home?
How long can I keep an ILL item?

Who can apply and who pays?

Each school is allocated a fund which is managed on their behalf by the School's Library Liaison Officer. Academic staff may apply for inter-library loans under these funds. Research postgraduate students may apply with permission from their supervisor or library liaison officer, and in some cases, taught postgraduate students may request ILLs for their dissertation, subject to approval from their dissertation supervisor.
For all other requestors, charges apply and are payable by the individual upon submission of request.
A full price listing is available from the Inter-Library Loans Desk on the ground floor.

How long does it take?

This varies from ten days for straightforward requests for journal articles to several weeks/months for books in high demand. We will contact you if there is likely to be a significant delay or if we need further details about the item required. In these circumstances, if we do not receive a reply from you within one month, the request will be cancelled.

Is there a limit to the number of requests I can make?

Yes, some schools set limits on the number of items individuals may request. This service is expensive so it is important to consider carefully whether the item is essential or not.

How do I make a request?

Printed request forms for inter-library loans, which include a copyright declaration, are available from the Inter-library Loans Desk in the Library. A form (which must be printed off and signed: we cannot accept a computer signature) is also available online.
Completed and signed applications may be handed in to the Issue Desk or Inter-library Loans Desk. You can also post your request forms to Inter-library Loans, The Library, Dublin City University, Dublin 9.

Before completing an ILL application always check the Library Catalogue and the Library’s A-Z of journals, first to ensure that the item is not held in the Library.
A separate application is required for each item requested. If using the printed form, please write clearly. Your signature, borrower number and department details must be included on the form. Give full bibliographic details along with your source of reference, if possible as incomplete or inaccurate information can cause delays.
Please note: application forms from postgraduate students must be counter-signed by their thesis supervisor.

How do I know when an ILL arrives in the Library?

When your request arrives, photocopies of journal articles, which are yours to keep, are held for collection or sent via internal mail to staff and postgraduate students with departmental addresses.  Notification of receipt is sent to all other readers via email or mail. Notification of receipt of books/loanable items is sent to all readers via email. When notification is received, items should be collected as soon as possible from the Inter-library Loans Desk in the Library. Outside of the hours the desk is staffed, items can be collected from the Issue Desk.

Can I take an ILL book home?

Most items are for home reading but some are for use in the Library only. These loans are held for borrowers at the Inter-library Loans Desk in the Library and are available for consultation during Library opening hours. When collecting items ‘for Library use only’, borrowers should hand in their ID card at the Inter-library Loans Desk and upon returning the item and collecting your ID card, should indicate whether or not they wish to consult this item again at another time.

How long can I keep an ILL item?

Photocopies of journal articles are yours to keep.

The lending library determines the length of the loan period for books, which is usually between one and six weeks. The return date will be written on a slip inserted in the book. All inter-library loans are subject to recall at any time. When an item is recalled by the lending institution, we will inform the borrower of the new date by which the loan should be returned. Renewals are not always possible and application for renewals should be sought before the due date. It is not possible to renew overdue items. Users are requested to return inter-library-loan items on time. We are bound by the conditions of loan imposed on us by the lending institutions. We ask you to respect these conditions which are based on principles of goodwill and a spirit of conscientious exchange of materials between libraries.
Note: The British Library imposes a substantial charge for overdue and/or lost items and this charge will be passed on to the borrower.

Irish Health Sciences Libraries Group

Online form

DCU Library is a member of the Irish Health Sciences Libraries Group. This group publishes an Index to Irish Healthcare Libraries Journal Holdings i.e., a list of all the journals on nursing and healthcare which are held in 60+ health care libraries around the country. DCU students may apply for inter library loans from all the other participating libraries in the group.
A printed index of all the journals held by the IHSLG can be found at the ILL Desk together with the request forms. Processing time of requests is a maximum of one week. This service is free to all nursing students.
To request an item using this service, either come to the Inter-library loans Desk or fill in the form online.

Contact us

You can visit the ILL Desk in person or contact us as follows:
Email: interlib@dcu.ie
Telephone: (01) 7005457
Fax: (01) 7005602

Address:
    Inter-library Loans Department
    Dublin City University
    Glasnevin
    Dublin 9.