Northern Illinois University College of Law

College of Law

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Interlibrary Loans

Through interlibrary loans, the Law Library will endeavor to borrow materials which we lack in our collection or to obtain photocopies of these materials from other libraries. Interlibrary loan services are restricted to faculty or students of the College of Law for the purposes of study and law school-related research or teaching. To use our interlibrary loan service, download an Interlibrary Loan form online or request one at the Circulation Desk. Providing complete and accurate information will speed the interlibrary loan process.

On occasion, the Law Library may refer users to other libraries for on-site use when material is needed immediately, a large number of titles is required, or a subject area is to be researched without reference to particular titles.

NIU students and faculty not associated with the College of Law should use the University Library interlibrary loan service to obtain materials unavailable in any of the NIU Libraries. The Law Library does not interlibrary loan material from the University Library.  Law students and faculty needing material from the University Library should use the online catalog or visit the University Library.

Borrowers will be notified when materials arrive. Renewal requests for interlibrary loan materials should be made at least one week prior to the materials' due date.

Interlibrary Loan Lending Policies

The following are the Law Library's policies regarding loaning material to other libraries.

Items available for loan
free of charge:
  • Books
  • Government documents
Items available for photocopying  (charges may apply):
  • Journal articles
  • Newspaper articles
  • Reference materials
Items not loaned:

  • Computer software
  • Audio/video materials
  • Reference materials
  • Loose-leaf materials

Loan Periods and renewals:

  • Most materials are loaned for a period of 4 weeks.  Renewals should be requested a week before the due date.

To submit requests:

  • OCLC symbol: ILY
  • phone: 815-753-9601
  • fax: 815-753-9499
  • mail: NIU Law Library, Interlibrary Loan, DeKalb, Il 60115

Charges (to libraries, and to non-NIU requestors not affiliated with a library):

  • Book loans - free
  • Photocopies:
    • MAALL, CLAS affiliates - free
    • Illinet libraries:
      • 20 or fewer impressions - free
      • 21 or more impressions: minimum $5.00 at $ .50/page
    • All other libraries - $5.00/mailing packet and $ .50/page
    • Non-libraries - $5.00/mailing packet and $ .75/page
  • Fax:
    • MAALL, CLAS affiliates - free
    • All other libraries - $5.00/request and $1.00/page
    • Non-libraries - $5.00/request and $1.25/page

Shipping:

  • Loans are sent by USPS or ILDS.  UPS is available upon request at the borrower's expense.  Please include your UPS Account number and contact telephone number on the request form.
  • Photocopies are shipped via USPS or fax upon request.

Contact Information:

  • For questions regarding interlibrary loan, please call Lynne Smith at 815-753-9601 or email lawlib@niu.edu