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DCU Library

Interlibrary Loans

DCU Library offers an Interlibrary Loan service which provides access to information resources not held by our Library, while also supplying material from its own stock to other libraries.
Shelves of books in Woodlock Hall Library

Woodlock Hall Library

DCU Library’s Interlibrary Loans service enables students and staff to request books, journal articles, and other materials not available in the DCU Library collection. Check out the tabs below for information on how to submit a request, eligibility criteria, turnaround times, costs, and contact details for support.

Contact Us interlib@dcu.ie

To request an item, email interlib@dcu.ie.

Before sending your request, please:
  • Check Library Search to make sure the item isn’t already available in print or online.
  • Include full and accurate bibliographic details (like title, author, etc.) to help speed up the process.
  • Mention your School and Supervisor (if you have one), e.g. School of Theology, Philosophy & Music / [Supervisor’s name].
If you're making several requests:
  • Spread them out over time rather than sending them all at once.
  • Since borrowed items are only available for a limited time, staggering your requests can give you more time to work with each one.
After you've submitted your request:
  • You’ll get an email to your DCU email address when the item arrives, letting you know it’s ready and where to collect it.
  • If you’ve requested more than one item, you might get separate emails for each.
  • Bring your DCU staff/student ID card when collecting items.
  • If your request is delivered electronically (like a journal article or book chapter), a PDF will be sent, depending on the lending library’s terms.
  • Delivery times vary — some items arrive in a few days, others can take several weeks. Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee a specific timeframe.
  • If an item can’t be sourced, you’ll be notified by email.
Loan periods and returns:
  • The loan period for books is set by the lending library - usually between 2 and 6 weeks. The return date will be on a slip inside the book.
  • All interlibrary loans are subject to recall, meaning you could be asked to return an item earlier. If this happens, you’ll get an email with a new due date.
  • Please don’t take interlibrary loan items out of the country, as this can delay returns if items are recalled.
  • Journal articles and book chapters received electronically don’t need to be returned.

Registered staff and research postgraduate students of DCU can apply for an interlibrary loan for the purpose of non-commercial research or private study.

In some cases taught postgraduate students may apply, subject to the rules set by each individual school and approval from their dissertation supervisor. 

Note: This service is currently not available to undergraduate students, Alumni members or external visitors to the library.

  • Books (and chapters from books)
  • Journal articles
  • Theses
  • Reports
  • Conference Proceedings

The service is free to registered staff and research postgraduate students subject to available funds. Each school has an allocated fund specifically for interlibrary loan requests which is finite and is to serve all eligible requesters for the academic year. Therefore please use this service only for essential materials. 

Please note, once the annual limit of a School has been reached, requests will no longer be accepted. 

Q: How Many Requests Can I Make?

A: Some Schools set limits on how many interlibrary loan requests you can make. Each School has a set budget for interlibrary loans that needs to cover all students and staff for the academic year, so it’s important to use the service only for materials that are essential to your work. If you’re submitting a large number of requests, your Subject Librarian may be contacted and asked to approve any further ones.

 

Q: Can I take my ILL home?

A: Most items you get through interlibrary loan can be borrowed and taken home.
Occasionally, the lending library might restrict an item to library use only. If that happens, we’ll let you know, and the item will be available for you to consult in the library.

Please Note: interlibrary loan books don’t belong to DCU Library. They’re lent to us by partner libraries, and we need to follow their rules. The system runs on trust, so we ask that you treat all interlibrary loan items with care and return them on time to help us keep that trust going.

 

Q: Can I Renew an ILL?

A: If you’d like to renew your interlibrary loan, just email interlib@dcu.ie and include your request number (e.g. RS-353DCU0000000).
Its the borrower's responsibility to request a renewal time.
You’ll get an email letting you know if the renewal is approved or declined. If it’s approved, the new return date will be included.

Renewals aren’t guaranteed, they are at the discretion of the lending library

 

Q: How Do I Return an ILL?

A: It’s your responsibility to keep track of the due date and return interlibrary loan items on time, even if you don’t get a reminder.
Failure to return interlibrary loans on time may result in substantial fines being charged to the Library or, in extreme cases, partner institutions suspending the facility to our Library. 

You can return interlibrary loans to the Issue Desk at any of these libraries:

  • Cregan Library, St. Patrick’s Campus
  • O’Reilly Library, Glasnevin Campus
  • Woodlock Hall Library, All Hallows Campus

If you lose an item, you’ll need to cover the replacement cost plus a fine, both of which are set by the lending library