Inter-library loans

Need more information about inter-library loans?
Library Self-Service Portaltel: +44 (0)1782 733236 or email: library.interlibraryloans@keele.ac.uk

If you require an item for your studies which is not in stock then you can request an inter-library loan. We will try to obtain the item for you via the British Library or other UK institutions. Inter-library loan items can be borrowed as normal, but are not automatically renewed. Rare or valuable materials can usually only be used in the library.
Please note: Staff/students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and NHS members should use the Health Library inter-library loans.

There is a charge for inter-library loans, and all requests must be paid for in advance. The charges at the campus library for Keele staff/students as follows:

  • Photocopies - £6.00
  • Loans - £10.00
  • Renewals - £4.00
  • Theses - £10.00

Postgraduate research students should check with their research centre regarding help with costs.

Before requesting an inter-library loan please check if the item you need is available for FREE from our current holdings by using Library Search. If the item you require is not available from Library Search, please complete the inter-library loan request form.
Requesting scores/parts (music societies) - Please contact the library 2 months before this material is needed. Please note: these requests may attract additional costs as the material can be difficult to obtain.
Requesting theses - Many UK PhD theses are available from the British Library's Electronic Theses Online Service (EThOS). If the thesis you require is not available via EThOS, please complete the inter-library loan request form.

We will email your Keele account when the item is available for you. Items can be collected from the library service counter or we can send a photocopy of articles/chapters to the specified UK address on your request form. Alternatively, requests for journal articles and book chapters may be delivered by email using the British Library’s Secure Electronic Delivery service (SED). To be able to do this you need to have Adobe Digital Editions installed on your computer (this is a free download).

Items from the British Library will usually take 3 working days by secure electronic delivery, or 5 working days by post. Other materials will usually arrive within 2 weeks.

Items can usually be kept for 5 weeks, but check the date enclosed in the item when it is issued to you. Overdue inter-library loans will incur fines but you may be able to renew the item if you need it for longer - charges apply.

For further help and information:
email: library.interlibraryloans@keele.ac.uk or tel: +44 (0)1782 733236 (Out of hours call +44 (0)1782 734159).