Fact Sheet
Interlibrary Loan
Most of the general and historical collections of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) are available through interlibrary loan to any library. NLM provides copies of journal articles and loans books, audiovisuals and microforms. NLM's interlibrary loan services are available only to libraries.
NLM is the library of last resort for materials that are not available from local or regional libraries. Individuals who need access to medical literature should make a request through a local library or register with a Loansome Doc® library that agrees to provide articles to them. See also more information on free biomedical literature resources from NLM and other sources.
Requests sent to NLM must comply with the following instructions and with the provisions of the National Interlibrary Loan Code of the American Library Association (ALA).
- U.S. Non-Medical Libraries
- Non-medical libraries in the U.S. that have a recurring need for medical information should contact the RML to discuss how they may be served best. To reach your RML, phone 1-800-338-RMLS (7657) or visit the NN/LM® Web page.
- Non-medical libraries in the U.S. may send requests to NLM after determining that the material is not available locally or regionally.
- Canadian Libraries
- Medical libraries in Canada should send requests via DOCLINE. Requests should route to the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI) before they are sent to NLM.
- CISTI coordinates Canadian access to DOCLINE for NLM. Medical libraries in Canada should discuss obtaining access to DOCLINE with CISTI.
- Non-medical or libraries without DOCLINE access should request materials from Canadian medical libraries or from CISTI.
- Other Non-U.S. Libraries
- A small number of libraries outside the U.S. have access to DOCLINE and will accept requests for articles via Loansome Doc. During registration, you can search for non-U.S. libraries providing document delivery internationally.
- Libraries that cannot identify a DOCLINE library willing to serve them may send requests for articles to NLM for items not available in their country.
- Material in original form is not loaned outside of the U.S.
- See more information on biomedical literature resources for libraries outside the U.S.
BORROWING METHODS
- DOCLINE is the preferred method of receiving requests at NLM. Requests received via DOCLINE are processed more quickly.
- General Collection, - LIBID: MDUNLM
- General Collection, Clinical Emergency Requests Only - LIBID: MDULMF
- Historical (HMD) Collection - LIBID: MDUHMD
- Non-DOCLINE requests require additional processing time. Internet: custserv@nlm.nih.gov
ALA and IFLA preprinted interlibrary loan forms may be faxed to (301) 496-2809 or mailed to NLM's Collection Access Section.
REQUEST REQUIREMENTS
- Requests for materials to be loaned or copied must include a statement of conformance to either the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976 (CCL) or the Copyright Guidelines (CCG):
- Include the library identification (LIBID) of the requesting library. A LIBID is assigned to all libraries that borrow from the NLM. Once a LIBID has been assigned to your library, it is required for subsequent requests.
- Request each item or item segment (chapter, part of issue, etc.) separately.
- Verify citations in NLM databases or publications and enter them into DOCLINE using the unique identifier number of the item. Non-DOCLINE requests should contain the NLM call number. To obtain call numbers, access LocatorPlus, NLM's online public access catalog, at the following Web site: http://locatorplus.gov/
- Give the source of verification and state the specific NLM database containing the citation. Include the citation or serial unique identifier.
- Include the authorizing person's name (electronic transmissions) or the signature of the authorizing person at the borrowing library (mailed or faxed).
- NLM will refer interlibrary loan requests when "Refer On" is indicated as a comment on an electronically transmitted request or typed at the top of an ALA or IFLA form. Requests must be within the scope of the NLM collection, not be available at NLM, carry complete citation information, and be identified by NLM as being held by another library.
- Most requests received at NLM are processed within 24 hours. Due to the large daily volume of ILL requests, it is not possible for NLM to cancel a request once it is received.
LOAN PERIOD
- The loan period for original material, microfilm and audiovisuals is one month. Items cannot be renewed. Libraries with overdue items will be billed for lost materials after two overdue notices have been sent. Costs for lost materials are $375 for each audiovisual and $225 for each book. These charges are applicable regardless of the original cost of the material. In lieu of paying for the material, NLM will accept a replacement copy. Interlibrary loan service will not be provided to libraries with delinquent accounts.
DELIVERY AND RETURNS
- NLM will deliver copied material by Ariel, fax, email, web, and U.S. mail. There is an extra charge for color copies (see "Charges" below). For ILL service from NLM, e-mail and post-to-web are the quickest and most reliable forms of delivery. Original materials are delivered by courier service to ensure their safety. NLM pays postage for outgoing loans.
- For the protection of the borrowing library, NLM suggests that materials be insured or registered and that a return receipt be requested. The borrowing library pays postage, is responsible for material from the time of receipt until the item is returned and received at NLM, will replace or pay for materials lost or irreparably damaged, and covers repair costs for damaged materials.
- The borrowing library must notify NLM within seven days following submission if a photocopy request has not been filled. To report a problem with ILL requests filled by NLM, please use our ILL Customer Service form.
- Note: post-1913 monographs, post-1969 audiovisuals* and microfilm should be returned to the Collection Access Section. Pre-1914 monographs and pre-1970 audiovisuals* should be returned to the History of Medicine Division.
CLINICAL EMERGENCIES
- During the hours that NLM is open, Clinical Emergency requests will be filled within two hours. If NLM is unable to fill the request, notification will be sent within two hours. Clinical emergency requests are available via Fax, Ariel, Email and Post-to-Web delivery. For ILL service from NLM, e-mail and post-to-web are the quickest and most reliable forms of delivery. Please note that only requests needed for emergency patient care qualify for this service.
- DOCLINE participants should prefix these requests to NLM (Prefix LIBID= MDULMF). Select 'Fax', 'Ariel', 'Email (PDF)', or 'Web (PDF)' as the NLM Delivery method, and leave the Need By Date box blank.
CHARGES - Effective December 2003
- U.S. Libraries
- Mail Delivery, Ariel, Email, Web, and Pickup - $9.00
- Mail Delivery, Ariel, Email, Web, and Pickup - color copies - $11.00
- Fax Delivery - $12.00
- Canadian and other non-U.S. libraries
- Mail Delivery - $11.00
- Mail Delivery - color copies - $13.00
- Fax Delivery - $14.00
- Ariel, Email, and Web Delivery - $9.00
- Ariel, Email, and Web Delivery - color copies - $11.00
- U.S. Federal Libraries
Interlibrary loans are free of charge up to the first 1,000 requests received per year for libraries that submit serial holdings and participate in resource sharing. Each such federal library starts with zero requests at the beginning of every new fiscal year. Libraries that do not submit serial holdings and do not participate in resource sharing are charged for every request.
- Mail Delivery, Ariel, Email, Web, and Pickup - $4.00
- Fax Delivery - $7.00
- Mail Delivery, Ariel, Email, Web, and Pickup - color copies - $6.00
BILLING
- Do not send payment with the loan request. NLM issues its bills quarterly. NLM prefers to bill customers through the Electronic Fund Transfer System (EFTS). As needed, NLM can issue invoices to libraries through the National Technical Information System (NTIS). Interlibrary loan service will not be provided to libraries with delinquent accounts.
- Keep a copy of each loan request form. The loan request number appears on the detailed transactions reports provided by EFTS and NTIS and is needed to interpret the charges. NLM is unable to provide a second copy at the end of the quarter.
- Electronic Fund Transfer System (EFTS)
- The Electronic Fund Transfer System (EFTS) is a transaction-based electronic billing system developed by the University of Connecticut Health Center for ILL and document delivery charges. NLM participates in the EFTS for billing DOCLINE libraries for NLM-supplied documents.
- All DOCLINE libraries are encouraged to join. EFTS reduces the need to create invoices and to process reimbursement checks for interlibrary loans between participants. EFTS also provides monthly detailed transaction reports, the ability to handle differential charges (such as additional rush or fax charges), the ability to vary charges to members of special groups, and the ability to handle non-DOCLINE transactions.
- National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
- Libraries must establish a deposit account with NTIS to facilitate payment. After establishing an account, the library should deposit an estimated amount of funds in U.S. currency that it expects to spend.
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Invoices will be issued quarterly by NTIS, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161 and are payable to "NTIS". Coupons are not accepted as payment for these charges.
IMAGES AND AUDIO/VISUAL MATERIALS
- Many of the photographs or slides of portraits, prints, charts, and other pictorial works in the collection may be viewed in the Images from the History of Medicine (IHM) (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/ihmfact.html). See more information about ordering copies from this database.
- Interlibrary loan policy and charges also apply to audiovisual materials. An exception is made for laser discs -- this format is not circulated. For questions about borrowing audiovisual* material produced before 1969, contact the History of Medicine Division.
NLM CONTACT INFORMATION
- For journal material published after 1870, monograph material published after 1913 and audiovisual* material produced after 1969:
- COLLECTION ACCESS SECTION
National Library of Medicine
LIBID: MDUNLM (Regular) or
LIBID: MDULMF (Clinical Emergency)
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20894
Telephone: (301) 496-5511
Fax: (301) 496-2809
Email: custserv@nlm.nih.gov
- For journal material published before 1871, monograph material published before 1914 and audiovisual* material produced before 1969:
- HISTORY OF MEDICINE DIVISION
National Library of Medicine
LIBID: MDUHMD
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20894
Telephone: (301) 496-5405
Fax: (301) 402-0872
Email: custserv@nlm.nih.gov
*All 16 mm audiovisual films are serviced by the History of Medicine Division.
A complete list of NLM Fact Sheets is available at:
(alphabetical list) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/factsheets.html
(subject list): http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/factsubj.html
Or write to:
FACT SHEETS
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Library of Medicine
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20894
Phone: (301) 496-6308
Fax: (301) 496-4450
email: publicinfo@nlm.nih.gov