" Thank you so much! You provided me with access to a valuable book that is extremely hard to obtain, and I doubt I could find it in any other U.S. library.
As a graduate student this service provides access to primary sources that would otherwise be unavailable without extensive travel and expense.
The material has been absolutely essential to my research. I couldn't have completed this article without it.
Amazing! And so quick. Thanks."
Collections and Services Available
CRL's collection is available through our InterLibrary Loan Services or at our office's in Chicago. CRL loans to all member libraries included in an institution’s subscription and to non-members for a fee.
Demand Purchase Program
CRL's Demand Purchase Program acquires new material in response to loan requests for materials not held. Member ILL offices initiate requests for demand purchases by indicating in the borrowing note field on the ILL request form: “Please purchase if not owned.” As funds permit, CRL will acquire archival materials, newspapers, or International doctoral dissertations at a maximum cost of $2,000 per patron per year. CRL may decline to purchase materials which are readily available from one or more member libraries.
Digital Delivery
Borrowing requests are filled by digitizaton when the material is not in copyright and the request can be completed within five business days. Larger requests will be considered on a case by case basis. CRL provides access to scanned material on our DDS platform. When a request is completed, a DDS link is sent to the requesting library. All DDS content is fully searchable text and can be downloaded as a PDF. CRL links to all DDS material from CRL catalog records and creates a record in WorldCat. See also digitization services for more information.
Fragile items are generally delivered digitally rather than in hard copy. If a request includes a significant amount of fragile material, CRL will notify the requesting institution that digitization may take longer than five days.
Dissertations
CRL loans from its extensive collection of International doctoral dissertations either as hard copy or digital delivery. CRL acquires new dissertations through our demand purchase program. Acquiring new dissertations, including those distributed by EThOS in the UK, may require a signed copyright declaration.
Linda Hall Library
Through a partnership, CRL libraries have access to articles from current and back issues of over 50,000 titles in the combined science, technology, and engineering (STE) print serials from CRL and Linda Hall Library. There is no cost to CRL libraries for use of this service through the RapidILL service (requests sent directly to Linda Hall Library will be charged the regular ILL fee).
Loan period
CRL loans to CRL libraries for six months with unlimited renewals. However, all material may be recalled after two weeks of use if requested by a patron from another member library. The borrower is obligated to return material immediately upon recall.
Reading Room
Students, faculty, and other researchers may use materials in the CRL Reading Room. Please contact the Access Services Department at least three business days in advance of the patron’s visit to ensure that needed materials and space are available.
Submitting Requests
All material held by CRL is eligible for loan or digital delivery. Voting member libraries are allowed an unlimited number of requests, requests of any amount of material, and ulmited loan periods.
