Items not in stock required for research purposes can be requested via the Interlibrary Loans Service which operates from the Information / Interlibrary Loans Desk on the Ground Floor of the Library.

How do I make a request?

Before making a request, first check the Library Catalogue to see if the item is available here.

You need to complete an interlibrary loan form for each item you require. Forms are available from the interlibary loans desk in the University Library, or online at www.port.ac.uk/library/illrequest.

Please give as much information as you can about the item you are requesting.

Submit completed forms to the Interlibrary loan desk, University Library.

Remember to sign the copyright declaration if you are requesting a journal article or a chapter from a book.

Who can use the service?

Only certain categories of Library user may use this service to request items relevant to their field of study or research. Requesters must have a current campus card and no outstanding library fines. Staff and research students may submit requests freely within their faculty/departmental quota, except that research assistants/students in the Science Faculty must have their requests signed by their supervisor.

Postgraduate students on taught postgraduate courses may submit requests provided they have obtained the countersignature of their tutor for each request.

Final year undergraduate students in Humanities Faculty writing dissertations may submit requests provided that these have been countersigned by their dissertation tutor.

Final year undergraduates in other faculties may submit requests provided they have obtained the countersignature of the relevant tutor for each request.

First and second year undergraduates may not submit requests.

Who pays for the service?

Requests are normally charged to faculty / departmental funds. Each fund has an annual allocation and requests are charged at ?10 each against this allocation.

How long will I have to wait?

About 70% of requests are supplied within seven days of our application. Some items may take much longer, because they may be difficult to locate or are in heavy demand.

How will I know the loan has come in?

We will notify you of the arrival of a loan item by University email. Otherwise messages are sent by internal mail, or in the case of part-time students, to home addresses. You can supply a temporary address on your request form if desired.

Items can be collected from the interlibrary loans desk, or when closed, from the issue desk.

How long can I keep the item for?

The loan period varies according to the library lending us the item, and renewal may not be possible. Please help us to keep in good standing with other libraries by returning items promptly.

We will send you a reminder to return overdue items, but if the item is not returned within one week of a final demand notice, you will be liable for replacement costs, these charges can exceed £100 per item, so it is important to return your items promptly.

For further help or information on the Interlibrary Loans service, download the interlibrary loan leaflet (pdf)

or contact : interlib@port.ac.uk
Tel: 023 9284 3228/9
Fax: 023 9284 3233

Generate an Interlibrary Loan Request

(You will need to print this form)

Alternatively, you can print a form in PDF format, you will need Acrobat reader.

Interlibrary loan leaflet (pdf)