Q. How long does it take to obtain an InterLibrary loan and how is it delivered?

We aim to process your request within 5 working days but are unable to guarantee a supply time as this is outside of our control.

Our main supplier can usually satisfy requests within 2–10 days depending on availability. If we have to try several locations it may take longer.

Books

Where possible we are now trying to provide access to ebooks. You will be notified if ebook access is being made available. If we are unable to provide ebook access we will notify you by email when the book is ready for collection.

Note that these emails are usually sent to your Sheffield email address and you need to check your email on a regular basis.

Journal articles

Journal articles supplied by the British Library will normally be sent by secure electronic delivery. Check your email on a regular basis for emails from noreply@bldss.uk.

Articles supplied by the British Library can be sent by secure electronic delivery or as a photocopy directly to your home or Departmental address. You can choose your preferred mode of delivery on the request form.

Articles supplied by other lending institutions will be sent to your University email from the Library, and will contain a link to your requested article.

As with books, these emails are usually sent to your Sheffield email address and you need to check your email on a regular basis.

On average it takes between 2 and 24 hours to supply a journal article electronically.