What is an interlibrary loan?

An interlibrary loan (ILL) is a transaction in which one library lends materials or supplies photocopies to other libraries. It is a traditional method of library cooperation.

The Interlibrary Loan Dept. uses this method to try to borrow legal, law-related, and other materials from other libraries when these materials are not available at Howard University Law Library.

Before submitting an ILL request, please search Daniel, the library's online catalog, to verify whether or not materials are held in our collection. If the item is checked out, please contact the Circulation Dept. to request a recall.  

Who can request interlibrary loans

The Law Library's interlibrary loan services can be used by current Howard University School of Law students, faculty, and staff.

How to submit requests

The fastest way to make your ILL requests is to fill out the electronic ILL form available on the library's Web page anytime.

You can also fill out the ILL form available in the law library in the ILL Dept. or Reference Dept. Turn in the completed form to the ILL Dept. or the Reference Dept. ILL requests via printed forms can be submitted during ILL Dept. hours from 9 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday.

Please fill out ILL forms with as much information as possible to speed up the handling of your request:

Due dates, returns, renewals

All requestors must return the material on or before the due date. The due date is clearly marked on the item(s) borrowed. All materials should be brought back to the Law Library Circulation Desk.

Please be aware that the lending library sets the terms and conditions of the loan, and other restrictions may apply. Extensions of the loan period must be arranged one week before the due date with the Interlibrary Loan Librarian. The lending library sets terms for all renewals.

Noncompliance with terms and conditions may result in the termination of the Law School's Interlibrary loan privileges. Because such noncompliance jeopardizes ILL reciprocal arrangements for both you and your colleagues, please be dilligent about returning materials by the due date.

Turnaround time for requested materials to arrive

Materials are sent to us by other libraries via mail. Materials obtained from a library in the DC metropolitan area usually take 1-2 weeks to arrive. Those obtained from a library outside of the DC metropolitan area (within the US) take at least 3 weeks. Those obtained outside the US usually arrive in 6-8 weeks.

Requestors will be notified (via email or phone) when the material arrives or if the material could not be obtained. Please go to the Circulation Desk to pick up your materials.

Interlibrary loan fees

Certain lending libraries require a fee for the privilege of Interlibrary loan. We strive to obtain materials from libraries that do not charge fees or will waive their fees. In the cases where we can only obtain the materials from libraries that do charge fees, the Library will try not to pass on the charges to the patron. This is subject to change at any time, at the discretion of the library's administration.

Lost or Damaged Materials: Interlibrary loan is a privilege. The cost for replacement of lost or damaged materials will be billed to the requestor.

Request limits

In order to support the law school's mission of excellence in teaching and research, the library will strive to obtain all materials needed. However, we recommend that the number of requests submitted at any one time be limited to a reasonable quantity of materials (i.e., no more than 15). We cannot guarantee a speedy fulfillment of bulk requests placed for interlibrary loan services.

Copyright considerations

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code), governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.

Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order, if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

For further information

Please contact Felicia Ayanbiola, Interlibrary Loan Librarian at:
Phone: (202) 806-8207
Email: ill@law.howard.edu
 

© 2003 Howard University, all rights reserved. HOWARD UNIVERSITY, School of Law Library, 2929 Van Ness Street, Washington, DC 20008 Phone: 202-806-8045  Law Library Contacts - WWW Disclaimer Tuesday July 01, 2003