What is an inter-library loan?
An inter-library loan (ILL) is a free service provided by the Library that allows students and staff to borrow materials not held in our own collection. This can include physical books, but also digital copies of book chapters and journal articles, which can be delivered directly to your email. There is no limit on the number of ILL requests eligible users can make, so you can access as many resources as you need for your research.
Who can use the ILL system?
All staff and current students registered at Derby can use the ILL system.
The following user categories are not eligible: External, Alumni, Honourary, SCONUL Access, Collaborative, and Exchange (e.g. Erasmus) students. If you fall into one of these categories, you may still be able to request an inter-library loan at your local public library or directly, by registering at the British Library.
What can I borrow?
However, please note that there are copyright restrictions on what and how much libraries are allowed to copy on behalf of their users. Typically, only one chapter per book and one article per journal issue can be supplied digitally. If you need multiple chapters from a book or multiple articles from the same journal issue, it's advisable to request the entire item as a physical loan instead.
How does the system work?
Why is inter-library loan useful for students, especially at the dissertation and postgraduate stage?
The British Library and Legal Deposit:
Most of Derby's requests, particularly for older or rarer materials, go to the British Library, which holds a vast and ever-growing collection. The British Library is a legal deposit library, which means it receives a copy of every book, journal, and other publication produced in the UK and Ireland. This legal deposit ensures that the British Library holds a comprehensive collection of national publications, making it a likely source for your inter-library loan request. With approximately 3 million new items added annually, the collection already spans over 96 kilometres of shelving across its sites, ensuring a high chance of finding the resource you need!
Additional tips for using inter-library loan:
Unlock a World of Academic Resources with SCONUL Access
Looking to expand your research horizons? Look no further than the SCONUL Access scheme! This fantastic program opens doors to a vast network of academic libraries across the region, giving you access to resources that might not be available here at Derby. This can be particularly beneficial when you're home for holidays or breaks, as you might find a participating university library closer to you.
What is SCONUL Access?
SCONUL Access is a reciprocal scheme among university libraries, allowing eligible students and staff to access the facilities and resources of participating libraries. This means you can explore the stacks, study in peace and quiet away from home, and access a wider range of books, journals, and databases for your academic work – even when you're away from Derby.
Why Should You Register for SCONUL Access?
Who is Eligible for SCONUL Access?
Eligibility criteria may vary slightly among institutions, but generally, you can register for SCONUL Access if you are:
How to Register:
Check if your institution is a member of the SCONUL Access scheme (hint: we are!).
Visit the SCONUL Access website for details on how to register.
Fill out the online application form, providing the necessary information and documentation. You will need your Derby Student ID and to use your Derby Unimail email address.
Once approved, you'll receive confirmation and instructions on how to access the participating libraries.
What Does SCONUL Membership Allow Me To Access?
There is no standard offer - some libraries allow SCONUL members to borrow books, some don't; some allow access to computers and online resources, others don't; some restrict access to home students only during key periods like Induction Week or exam periods.
If you have questions about what your SCONUL Access membership allows you to do or access at participating libraries, you can contact the relevant SCONUL contact at the library you want to visit.
While our library offers a wealth of resources, the digital world opens up even more possibilities for research and discovery. Here are two free, publicly accessible tools you can leverage:
Think of it as a vast online library and museum. The Internet Archive houses:
This is the Internet Archive's time-traveling tool. The Wayback Machine takes "snapshots" of webpages across time. It's a fantastic resource for:
Why Use These Tools?
Tips for Effective Use
Remember:
Need Help?
Librarians are here to guide you! If you have questions about these resources or need assistance with research, don't hesitate to ask us for help.