Interlibrary Loan
What is Interlibrary Loan?
What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL) provides users with access to materials not available in the Legal Research Center (LRC), Copley Library, or books available through the Circuit system. Materials available in other San Diego libraries should be used on location if possible. Our ILL depends entirely on the cooperation and generosity of other libraries. The patrons of the LRC must abide by the rules and policies of the lending library when borrowing items and obtaining photocopies.
Who May Use Interlibrary Loan Services?
ILL services are available at the LRC for currently enrolled USD law students, law faculty, and staff. Non-law USD students, faculty, and staff can obtain ILL services at the Copley Library.
What Can Be Borrowed?
Books, journal articles, reports, government documents, and other materials may be requested. Lending libraries reserve the right to refuse to loan any material. The following are seldom loaned: rare or valuable materials, items which are difficult to ship, reserve and reference works, multi-volume sets, looseleafs, and recently published materials. Microforms and video recordings are not loaned by all libraries.
How Much Does It Cost?
ILL costs are determined by the lending library. Some materials are provided free of charge or for the cost of postage. There is often a charge for photocopies of journal articles. The LRC cannot give a binding cost estimate in advance. Law students must assume ALL CHARGES (except law review cite checking), including postage, handling, and photocopying fees. Payment is due at the time the item is picked up by the student, payable by a check made to the order of the lending library, not the LRC. Unpaid or disputed costs are forwarded to Student Accounts. The LRC will absorb any charges for interlibrary loans for law review cite checkers
How Long Will It Take?
Most requests are filled in one to four weeks. The average transaction takes about ten days, but the actual length of time depends upon the lending library and the mail service. The LRC cannot provide a binding estimate of arrival date in advance. Students receive a phone call when an item arrives.
How Long May I Keep Borrowed Materials?
Loan periods are at the discretion of the lending library, but usually run one week to one month from the date the item is received. Requests for loan renewal must be made before the item is due. All materials borrowed must be returned on time, and in the same condition as received. The student is responsible for any overdue fines assessed by the lending library, or for any charges if a borrowed item is damaged, lost, or stolen. Abuse of the ILL service will result in a suspension of LRC borrowing privileges.
How Do I Request an Interlibrary Loan?
Submit an electronic interlibrary loan form below or complete a copy available at the Reference Desk in the Legal Research Center. The more information you provide, the more efficiently your request can be processed. If you have questions, contact a Reference Librarian. The Reference Department phone number is (619) 260-4612.
- ILL form to borrow a book
- ILL form to request a journal article
- ILL form to request an SDLR or ILJ Cite Checking article or book. Click here for an overview of the LRC’s cite-checking procedures.