Fact Sheet Interlibrary Loan
Most of the literature in the general and historical collections of the
National
Library of Medicine (NLM) is available on 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.
Requests sent to NLM must comply with these instructions and with the
provisions of the
National Interlibrary Loan Code of the American Library Association
(ALA).
ACCESS TO NLM U.S. Medical Libraries
- Libraries in the National
Network of Libraries of Medicine® (NN/LM) should send requests via
DOCLINE®,
NLM's automated interlibrary loan request and referral system.
- The Regional Medical Library (RML) in your area will answer
interlibrary loan related questions and assist you with obtaining
DOCLINE access. To reach the RML, phone 1 800-338-RMLS (7657) or visit
the NN/LM web page.
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. The list of Non-U.S. Libraries
Providing Document Delivery Internationally using DOCLINE is
available from NLM's web site.
- 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.
BORROWING METHODS DOCLINE is
the preferred method of receiving requests. Requests received via DOCLINE
are processed more quickly.
- General Collection, - LIBID: MDUNLM
- General Collection, Clinical Emergency Requests Only - LIBID:
MDULMF
- Historical Collection - LIBID: MDUHMD
- Non-DOCLINE requests require additional processing time.
- Internet: ill@nlm.nih.gov
ALA and IFLA preprinted interlibrary
loan forms Telefacsimile: (301) 496-2809
REQUEST REQUIREMENTS All
requests for material 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). To request:
- Include the library identification (LIBID) number of the requesting
library. A LIBID number is assigned to all libraries that borrow from
the NLM. 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 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 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).
- 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 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. No renewals
are granted. Libraries with overdue items will be billed for lost
materials after two overdue notices have been sent. Interlibrary loan
service will not be provided to libraries with delinquent accounts.
DELIVERY AND RETURNS NLM will
deliver material that has been copied by Ariel, fax (See Charges), and
U.S. mail. 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 time
of receipt until the item is returned and received at NLM; will replace
materials lost or irreparably damaged, and meet repair costs for damaged
materials.
- Return post-1913 monographs, post-1969 audiovisuals*, and
microfilm to the Collection Access Section. Return pre-1970
audiovisuals* 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 requests, notification will
be transmitted within two hours. The ONLY delivery method for clinical
emergency requests is FAX.
- Only those requests needed for emergency patient care qualify for
this service.
- DOCLINE participants should prefix these requests to NLM at LIBID:
MDULMF.
CHARGES - Effective July
2001
U.S. Libraries -All Delivery -
$9.00
Canadian and other non-U.S.libraries -Mail Delivery
- $11.00 -Fax Delivery - $14.00 -Ariel or Email Delivery -
$9.00
-NLM will provide interlibrary loans free of charge to all
federal libraries up to the first 1,000 requests received per year. Any
federal institution requesting more than 1,000 items from NLM in a single
fiscal year would be charged $4.00 per article after that. At the start of
a new fiscal year, each federal library starts again at 0.
Do not send payment with the loan request. Invoices will be issued
quarterly by the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port
Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161 and are payable to NTIS. Libraries
must establish a deposit account with NTIS to facilitate payment. Coupons
are not accepted as payment for these charges. 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 summary page of the invoice and is needed to interpret the invoice
charges. NLM is unable to provide a second copy at the end of the quarter.
SPECIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
SERVICES Many of the photographs or slides of portraits,
prints, charts, and other pictorial works in the collection may be viewed
from the
Images from the History of Medicine web page. Ordering copies from
this material requires special procedures. Link to information about these
procedures from the web page or write to: Prints and Photographs
Collection, History of Medicine Division (address below) for information
and costs. Orders requiring copyright owner's permission will not be
accepted unless accompanied by this permission in writing.
CONTACTS 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
1970:
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.
First published: 21 July 2001 Last updated: 21 July 2001 Date Archived: 13 April 2004 Metadata | Permanence level: Permanent: Stable Content Replaced by
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