Interlibrary Request Policies

The policies listed below cover a range of Interlibrary Request methods:

Duke Requests

You may initiate a Duke Request using the green request button in the Books & Media catalog.

  • Duke Library patrons with accounts in good standing are eligible to use Duke Requests to have materials from the Library Service Center delivered to their preferred library location or to recall Duke owned materials that are checked out to other library patrons.
    Hint: It is usually faster to obtain materials through Interlibrary Loan than to recall them from a current borrower; please use Interlibrary Loan before recalling.
  • Duke faculty, graduate students, and honors thesis writers may also use this service to request items from on-campus libraries be delivered for pick up at their preferred library location.

Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is the Duke University Libraries‚’ system for obtaining materials that are not available at Duke.

  • Only current Duke University faculty, emeritus faculty, staff, students and sponsored visiting faculty with library borrowing accounts in good standing are eligible for this service.
  • To place ILL requests register for an Interlibrary Loan account.
  • Duke community members affiliated with the Law School, the Fuqua School of Business, or the Duke Health System should contact those libraries for ILL services.

Library staff will try to get any type of library material that is unavailable at Duke through Interlibrary Loan for eligible patrons.

  • It is not always possible for us to borrow textbooks, e-books, audiovisual materials, entire journal volumes, or materials that are rare, fragile, or in high demand.
  • The more complete the citation that you provide to us, the more likely it is that we will be able to fulfill your request correctly and promptly.
    Hint: WorldCat, a database of the combined catalogs of hundreds of libraries worldwide, can be a good source of citations for your requests. Using the ‚‘Get it at Duke‚’ button from within WorldCat is an easy way to place Interlibrary Loan requests.

We use multiple sources and methods to provide you with the materials that you need in the most timely manner.

  1. Articles and book chapters will be delivered electronically unless you specify otherwise. They are frequently available within 1 to 2 business days, but may take longer if sourcing is difficult or citations are incomplete.
  2. When possible, we will obtain physical materials from TRLN Direct or BorrowDirect. Materials from these sources are usually available in 4 to 6 business days.
    • TRLN Direct and BorrowDirect materials will appear in your regular library account.
    • Renewals for these materials must be requested from your regular library account.
    • Loan periods for TRLNDirect and BorrowDirect materials are dependent on your status within the University:
      • TRLN Direct
        • Faculty: 120 days, no renewals
        • Graduate Students: 60 days with one renewal
        • Undergraduates: 28 days with three renewals
      • BorrowDirect
        • All borrower types: 84 days, no renewals
  3. If we cannot obtain materials from our preferred sources we will attempt to get what you need from libraries world-wide via more traditional ILL methods.
    • Materials from traditional ILL will be listed in your Interlibrary Loan account.
    • Renewals should be requested from your Interlibrary Loan account.
    • Traditional ILL materials usually take between 5 days and 2 weeks to arrive, but may take considerably longer if they are in high demand, not widely distributed, or coming from overseas.
    • Lending periods and the possibility of renewal are set by the lending institution.

Please note:

  • Materials obtained from Interlibrary Loan are the property of other institutions and we are obligated to abide by their rules for the materials use. On rare occasions this may include restrictions on use outside of Library buildings.
  • Though it is rare, all ILL materials are subject to recall by their owning institution. Failure to return recalled ILL materials in a timely manner could result in Duke University Libraries being barred from future borrowing by that institution.
  • We will be happy to request another copy from an alternate source if you have reached your maximum loan or renewal period with an ILL item.

Interlibrary Use Programs

Duke students, faculty, emeritus faculty, and staff with Duke Library accounts in good standing are eligible for borrowing privileges at libraries on the nearby campuses of UNC, NCSU, and NCCU and at the libraries of the BorrowDirect consortium.

  • Materials borrowed on-site from these libraries may be returned to their owning institution or at any Duke Library.
  • Limitations and rules are set by the individual lending institutions; loan periods and renewal permissions will vary.
  • In order to use these services you will be required to present your Duke ID and may be asked to log into your Duke Library account.
  • Before visiting a BorrowDirect institution please check their specific policies.

Duke students, faculty, emeritus faculty, and current library staff are also eligible for access to collections (though not borrowing privileges) at SHARES institutions. Please check with the specific institution for hours and restrictions before visiting.

Contact Us

Questions? Please contact Interlibrary Request staff for Perkins, Bostock, Lilly, and Music Libraries.

Email:
interlibraryrequest@duke.edu
Phone:
(919) 660-5890
Fax:
(919) 660-5964
Mail:
Box 90183
180 Telecom Drive
Durham, NC 27708-0183
Attn: Interlibrary Request Dept.