Collections and Services Available
CRL accepts ILL requests from non-member libraries willing to pre-pay our fee of $175.00. Independent researcher's may borrow from CRL through a library with whom they are affiliated. We do not accept IFLA vouchers for these payments.
Print and Microform Lending
The Center for Research Libraries lends hard copy formats to libraries located in the United States and Canada. CRL lends to libraries (academic and public) not individuals. Individuals should consult with their local librarian to obtain an Interlibrary loan from CRL.
Loan Periods and Recall
- Non-members may borrow CRL materials for 30 days.
- Loans are subject to recall after two weeks of use.
- CRL will recall material when it is requested by a member library.
- CRL does not renew loans to Non-member Libraries.
CRL defines one loan as
- a single title with up to :
- 4 Volumes
- 4 Microfilm reels
- 4 Fiche
- The Borrowing Library agrees to the following :
- The safe return of the requested material to CRL after a 30 day loan period.
- If material are damaged or lost the library will be responsible.
- Loans may not be renewed.
- Pay all costs for return of material through UPS or a similar service.
- Return microfilm reels in original containers in which they were sent.
- A fine of $20 will be charged if a container is not included or is replaced.
- A borrowing library must return material immediately upon recall.
- If recalled, no part of the fee will be refunded
- The safe return of the requested material to CRL after a 30 day loan period.
Digitization of CRL Material
- CRL will digitize items in our collection for non-members when the material is not in copyright.
- The fee structure of $175.00 per 4 items applies to digitization requests.
- We will make this material publically available on our DDS Platform.
- Digitization requests must be made by a library.
- Fees must be paid in advance.
- CRL will copy or digitize an article of up to 50 pages for a library anywhere in the world.
- We will deliver articles via email, fax or mail.
- The fee is $175.00 per article.
- CRL supplies images suitable for research needs, we do not supply high resolution images for publication.
- CRL supplies the best copy available. The digitiation quality is dependent on the condition of the original material.
- Sale of a reproduction for scholarly research does not grant authorization to publish. It is the researcher's responsibility to determine whether materials are under copyright,and obtain permission to publish.
Sending Requests
- CRL accepts requests from libraries through OCLC platforms, or email of a completed ALA ILL or IFLA loan form.
- Requests will not be processed until payment is received. Please note how payment will be made.
- All requests are subject to U.S. Copyright Law.
Fees and Payment Methods
- .All ILL requests must be prepaid.
- Payment may be made by Credit Card, Check, IFM or Money Order
- Credit Card payment require an additional processing fee of 3.8% of the cost.
- CRL will issue an invoice if requested
- To make a request via OCLC (IFM) enter a valid IFM code in the MAXCOST field of the ILL request form. Make sure the value of MAXCOST is greater than or equal to the cost of the loan.
- For Credit Card, contect CRL Access Initiatives to arrange payment at 773-955-4545 ext.321 or email asd@crl.edu.
Processing Time
- Print and Microfilm are delivered within 3-5 days to the U.S. Canadian requests are subject to import law and so delivery times are unpredictable.
- Digitization of an article averages 1-3 business days for all routine requests.
- A digitzation request for a single monographs is usually 5-7 business days. Other requests may take longer.
- Time to complete depends on the amount of material, material condition, other requests and format type.
- If this is a rush, ask the CRL ILL team about time to completion.
Institutions Outside of the United States and Canada
CRL does not lend printed material outside the United States and Canada. Articles and digitization of uncopyrighted material is $175.00 per request. An additional processing fee of 3.8% is charged for credit card payments.
Fees for Lost or Damaged Items
For materials lost or damaged during the loan transaction, CRL follows the guidelines outlined in Section 4.9 of the Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States. If an item is lost, or damaged the borrowing library will be billed for the cost of replacement plus a processing fee of $50. If no replacement for the material is available a minimum payment of $300 is required. Credit card payments will require an additional processing fee of 3.8%
Shipping Materials for Loan
- Outbound loans are shipped via United Parcel Service (UPS) to requesting libraries in the United States and Canada.
- Costs to ship are included in the transaction fee.
- If additional shipping costs are required for a loan, the borrowing library will be informed of the additional charges before their credit card is charged. All additional charges are prepaid.
- The borrowing library is responsible for return shipping costs.
- CRL requires that borrowed material be returned via UPS, Fed Ex or DHL (or similar service).
- Package Tracking is required
- Insurance should be paid for the amount specified on the accompanying ILL form.
Non-Members & the CRL Reading Room
- Individual Researchers and those affiliated with non-member libraries may make an appointment to use our Reading Room in Chicago.
- Appointments to use the Reading Room must be made at least 3 days before a visit.
- Materials are paged prior to the date of the appointment.
- Under no circumstances may visitors browse our stacks.
- Please see our Reading Room page for more information or call Access Initiatives at 773-955-4545 ext. 288.