FAQ
Document Delivery/ILL -- Delivery Method

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The National Library of Medicine's (NLM) preferred delivery methods are Web (PDF) and Email (PDF). NLM can deliver documents via any of the following methods:

• Ariel: Ariel is a document transmission system that delivers files to your institution via the Internet. These files can then be printed, emailed or posted to the Web for your patrons. In order to receive documents by Ariel, your institution needs to purchase and install Ariel software. Information on the Ariel software is available from Infotrieve, Inc.
  
  
• Email (PDF): Document sent as an email attachment. PDF (Portable Document Format) is a file format that preserves the formatting of the original document. PDF documents can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader, available free from Adobe.
  
  
• Email (TIFF): Document sent as an email attachment. The multipage TIFF (Tagged Image Format File) requires a TIFF viewer. See FAQ on viewing articles.
  
  Note: File size for TIFF images tend to be large.
  
  
• Fax: Document sent via fax to number listed in the Institution record.
  
  
• Mail: Document mailed to the institution postal address indicated on request.
  
  
• Pick up: Document held for patron pick up at location specified by library. Patrons should check with ordering library for holding period and pick up location.
  
  
• Web (PDF): Patron will receive an email message containing a hyperlink to the requested document. PDF (Portable Document Format) is a file format that preserves the formatting of the original document. PDF documents can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader, available free from Adobe.
  
  Note: Recommended for users who have a slow connection or size limitations on their email system.
  
  
• Web (TIFF): Patron will receive an email message containing a hyperlink to the requested document. Documents can be viewed and printed from the referenced hyperlink. The multipage TIFF (Tagged Image Format File) requires a TIFF viewer. See FAQ on viewing articles.
  
  Note: Recommended for users who have a slow connection or size limitations on their email system.
  
  

Related Questions:

Can I request a photocopy of a chapter from a monograph?

Is there a limit as to the number of pages per request that NLM can supply?

Is there a limit as to the number of requests that can be made from a journal?

Return to the list of ILL FAQs | Return to the list of NLM FAQs
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/services/ill_delivery_meth.html

Last reviewed: 16 July 2007
Last updated: 16 July 2007
First published: 25 May 2007
Metadata| Permanence level: Permanence Not Guaranteed