Make a request
Interlibrary Loans is a free service for University of Melbourne staff and students to access resources beyond the University Library's collections by drawing on our network of partner libraries and commercial suppliers.
How Interlibrary Loans works
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If the item you need is not available in the library collection, you can request it in one of two ways.
Request from Library Search:
- Perform a search in Library Search.
- Select Expand your search if no suitable results are found.
- Click Request via Interlibrary Loan.
- Sign in to your account.
- Choose a request option (loan, article, or chapter).
- Review the details and select Send Request.
Or
Create a request from scratch:
- Fill in the blank ILL Request form
- Provide as much information as possible when completing the request form.
- Select Send Request to submit the request.
Use this option when:
- you already know the item details
- the item cannot be found in the search results.
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Digital Copies
We supply copies electronically. You will receive an email with a link to download the document.
Physical Loans
When your item is ready, we will notify you, and you can collect it from your nominated branch library.
Some items are for use in the library only. If this applies to your request, we will let you know when the item arrives.
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The time to fill your request can vary. It depends on factors such as:
- processing time and staffing capacity
- availability of the item
- location of the item; locally, interstate, or overseas.
Providing as much detail as possible in your request—especially an ISBN or ISSN—can help speed up the process.
Digital Copies
Most digital copies are supplied quickly, sometimes within 24 hours. However, they can take longer depending on availability and any access or copyright conditions.
Physical Loans
Loans take longer due to processing and shipping. Requests from overseas libraries will take significantly longer.
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If you need an item urgently, submit your request as usual and then email us as soon as possible to let us know.
While we can’t guarantee faster supply, letting us know your timeframe allows us to prioritise your request where possible and explore the quickest available options.
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To view your interlibrary loan requests:
- Sign in to Library Search and select My library activity.
- Select View all Requests to see a summary of your requests.
- To see the progress of an interlibrary loan request, select the down arrow on the right-hand side of the request.
This shows more information about your request, including your request number, its current progress, and an estimated time of arrival if available.
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If you no longer need an item, you can cancel the request from the Requests section of your library account.
- Sign in to Library Search and click My library activity.
- Click on Requests to view your interlibrary loan requests. From here, you can click Cancel.
Please note that no record of cancelled requests is stored in the system.
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If you need to renew your interlibrary loan, please email the team a few days before the due date to request a renewal.
Renewals are subject to approval by the supplying library, so we cannot guarantee that all requests can be extended. We will let you know the outcome as soon as we receive a response.
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Australian copyright law applies to all interlibrary loan requests.
This means there are limits on how much of a work can be supplied and how the material can be used. For example, requests for articles, chapters, and extracts must comply with copyright provisions, and copies are provided for research or study purposes only.
The Library manages copyright compliance on your behalf, so you don’t need to navigate the rules yourself. If a request cannot be supplied due to copyright restrictions, we will let you know and, where possible, suggest alternative options.
For more information, see our Copyright information page.
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The Interlibrary Loan service is available to all current University of Melbourne staff and students.
Members of the public, including those with a University of Melbourne Library membership, are not eligible to use this service.
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Most Interlibrary Loan requests are supplied at no cost to you.
In some cases, a supplying library may charge a fee. If the cost exceeds our preset limit, we will contact you to confirm whether you are willing to proceed before any charges are incurred.
There is no obligation to continue with the request if you do not wish to pay.
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Where an item in our collection is temporarily unavailable, for example because it is on loan, a request may still be supplied through one of our automated resource sharing services.
If we are unable to obtain the item through our automated service, we will not take further action and will notify you that we were not able to fulfil your request.
Other ways to borrow
There are other ways to access material, including borrowing from partner libraries through reciprocal borrowing schemes or registering with public access libraries.
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Borrow in person from participating Victorian libraries. This is useful if you need an item urgently or if Interlibrary Loans can't supply it, but another library has it.
Find out more about CAVAL Reciprocal Borrowing, including how to register and which libraries participate.
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We have a reciprocal arrangement with the University of Divinity Library Network, which specialises in theology and religious studies. Its collections have strong coverage of biblical studies, church history, doctrine, ethics and spirituality, as well as distinctive denominational and special collections.
To borrow an item, present your UoM ID card at the service desk of any library in the network. You may need to register with the library before borrowing for the first time.
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Borrow in person from participating university libraries across Australia and New Zealand. This is particularly useful if you live near another university or are travelling.
Learn more about ULANZ borrowing, including how to register and which libraries participate.
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If you are studying or working overseas, we can request borrowing privileges for you at international universities. This can be helpful if you need access to local collections while away.
Visit one of our service desks or contact us via Library Chat, and we will connect you with a librarian who can prepare a letter of indemnity for you to take to the library you are visiting.
We can only provide a letter of indemnity if there are no restrictions on your library account.
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You can also register directly with the State Library of Victoria, the National Library of Australia, and public libraries. These libraries offer extensive print and electronic collections, and can be a good option for accessing material quickly or finding resources not available through the University Library.
Find out more about registering with the State Library of Victoria, the National Library of Australia, and public libraries.
Borrowing from UoM
The University of Melbourne Library supplies resources to libraries and institutions in Australia and around the world through our Interlibrary Loan service. Learn how to request material from us and register your organisation.
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Who can request
We accept interlibrary loan requests from libraries, government organisations, and commercial organisations in Australia and overseas.
Most items held by the University of Melbourne Library are available for loan. If an item is not available for loan, we can often supply a copy instead, subject to copyright and licensing restrictions.
How to request
You can submit requests through:
We are currently developing a registration process for libraries that do not use TPRS ReShare or OCLC WorldShare.
First-time user of our direct request form
Registration is currently unavailable while this service is being updated.
Copyright
All requests are supplied in accordance with the Australian Copyright Act 1968.
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University of Melbourne theses are not supplied through interlibrary loan. Many theses are available online through Minerva Access.
Find a thesis
Search Library Search.
When you find the thesis, select Click to access record to open the record in Minerva Access.
Access levels
The Access Status in Minerva Access tells you how the thesis can be accessed:
- Open access: Full text is available online.
- Only available to University of Melbourne staff and students: Full text is restricted to University users.
- No attached file available: The thesis is not available online.
Theses not available online
Access to hard copy theses is currently unavailable due to the Baillieu Library Special Collections Redevelopment.
During this period, hard copy theses cannot be viewed or digitised on request.
Find out more about the Baillieu Library Special Collections Redevelopment.
Problems accessing a thesis
For assistance with Minerva Access, contact minerva-access@unimelb.edu.au.
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Core
(processed within 4 days)Rush
(processed within 24 hours)Express
(processed within 2 hours)Copy Up to 25 pages $22.50 $44.50 $67.00 An additional 25 pages or part thereof $5.20 $5.20 $5.20 Loan Book or microform $34.40 $62.80 $85.00 Supply of Items
We supply items in accordance with the Australian Inter-Library Resource Sharing (ILRS) Code.
- Express service – available only for items from the Baillieu and Biomedical libraries. You must arrange and pay for a courier to collect the item.
- Rush service – available from the Dookie Library, but please note this library is not open every day.
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OCLC WS ILL prices (USD)
Core
(processed within 4 days)Rush
(processed within 24 hours)Express
(processed within 2 hours)Copy Up to 50 pages USD 18.00 USD 35.00 USD 49.00 Additional 50 pages or part thereof USD 4.00 USD 4.00 USD 4.00 Loan Book or microform USD 35.00 USD 52.00 USD 66.00 Direct registration prices (AUD)
Core
(processed within 4 days)Rush
(processed within 24 hours)Express
(processed within 2 hours)Copy Up to 50 pages $26.60 $51.70
$72.40 Additional 50 pages or part thereof $5.90 $5.90 $5.90 Loan Book or microform $51.70 $76.80 $97.50 Supply of Items
We supply items to overseas libraries in accordance with IFLA’s guidelines for resource sharing and document delivery.
Please allow 2–4 weeks for delivery of your book.
Contact
Postal address
Resource Sharing Office
Baillieu Library
University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010, Australia
Campus entry: Gate 11, Royal Parade