British Library continues to restore its services following October's cyber-attack. Current services include: a temporary catalogue, and loans from open stacks in the Lending Division (in Boston Spa, Yorkshire). Access to books older journals in the automated storage building is expected to resume soon. There is currently no information about when British Library will be able to supply from e-resources.
British Library is just one of many libraries who supply books to Durham University, so the ILL team are working hard to source material from elsewhere. We should be able to source most books from other suppliers in the UK, but we continue to experience problems obtaining international material which is normally supplied via British Library. We will keep you updated as we find out more. The ILL team will be happy to answer any queries regarding individual requests. Contact the ILL team at interlibrary.loans@durham.ac.uk .
You can get in touch through our live chat service or by email, and search our FAQs for answers to your questions.
Inter-Library Loans
Durham University Library
Stockton Road
DURHAM
DH1 3LY
United Kingdom
Email: interlibrary.loans@durham.ac.uk
While we do not supply materials directly to individuals who are not members of the university, we are happy to lend books and supply copies to other libraries.
We supply scans via RapidILL and Durham University is part of the UK's WHELF+ Interlending scheme. We accept requests via email to interlibrary.loans@durham.ac.uk and we are also keen to encourage the use of ISO-ILL requesting. Drop us an email if you are interested in setting up an ISO-ILL partnership.
Requests from UK libraries should include:
clear details of the item you require
a request number and your British Library Billing Account number
a delivery address.
International requests can be paid for using a British Library Billing Account, IFLA vouchers or an invoice.
Standard loan books which are not in high demand from our own users.
Periodicals, audio-visual materials, short loan, reference or microfilm/microfiche materials
Pre-1850 material
material over 100 years old will be considered on an item by item basis
Special collection, college and departmental library items
Theses – all our theses are available electronically. PhD theses are likely to be available for immediate download via British Library's EThOS service. Direct links to our PhD, MA and MSc theses are available through Discover (our library catalogue) or via our digital repository: Durham e-Theses.
We will provide scans (book chapters, journal articles or conference papers) within copyright guidelines (1 chapter or 10% of an item) and do so on the understanding that requests will only be made for private study. We reserve the right to refuse to supply if we believe that commercial use will take place. Copies will be delivered electronically where possible. Smaller articles will be sent as a pdf attached to an email. Larger articles may be sent via our "Zend-to" software.
Journal articles, book chapters and conference papers written by Durham University Researchers may be freely available via our institutional repository Durham Research Online.
The initial loan is 10 weeks
Renewals may be made on application to the library
All material is subject to recall and must be returned if it is required by one of our own members
Some items may be loaned on a confined basis: they can only be used within your library and should be stored in a secure place when not in use
We may ask for rare or valuable material to be returned using recorded delivery.
Due to significant losses experienced with courier delivery, please do not use Hays / DX for the return of our loans.
The borrowing library is responsible for any loss or damage to materials loaned to them
Fines are not charged to other libraries for items returned late, although prompt return is appreciated
Automated overdue notices are sent out for loans
If an item is lost, please let us know. The full cost to replace the item (with a minimum fee of £30.00) would be charged to your British Library Billing Account. Replacement copies of the same edition (or newer) will also be accepted
We reserve the right to refuse loans to libraries where there is a significant problem with non-return of items.