Get It For Me - Frequently asked questions

Browse FAQs about our Get It For Me service.

Who can use this service?

All current University of Warwick staff and students with a valid Library account can use the Get It For Me service. Only materials needed for study and research can be requested.

Teaching staff: If a resource is required for your module reading list, add it to your Reading List Link opens in a new windowand publish the list to notify the Library.

The team can then assess and purchase/digitise your list items, as necessary. We will assess the most suitable format and quantity for your cohort.

Alumni and visitors: Unfortunately, we are unable to provide this service to alumni, visitors, or external library users.

What can I request?

You can request books, book chapters, journal articles, reports, conference proceedings and papers, theses, and a wide range of other research materials.

Before using our service, please see the information on the expected delivery timescales for requests as this will help you plan ahead.

Under UK copyright law you are only able to request: one book chapter per book; one journal article per journal issue; one conference paper per conference proceeding. If you require more, please request the whole book, journal or conference proceeding.

Some items, including pre-1900 publications, manuscripts, archives, and maps, can be more difficult to obtain via interlibrary loan, as relatively few libraries are willing to lend them. Where borrowing is not possible, it may be necessary to consult the material in person at the holding library.

Can I request a thesis from another university?

First check the following sources to see if the thesis is already available for free download:

EThOSLink opens in a new window— British Library's repository for UK PhD theses
ProQuest Dissertations & Theses GlobalLink opens in a new window— doctoral and master's theses from North America and many European institutions
theses.frLink opens in a new window— portal to doctoral dissertations in France
BASELink opens in a new window, CORELink opens in a new window, NDLTDLink opens in a new window (Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations), Global ETD SearchLink opens in a new window

If not freely available, please submit a request using the Get It For Me form and we will attempt to source it for you.
Most institutions do not lend original copies of doctoral theses— you may need to consult in person at the holding institution.

Can I use Get It For Me for a systematic review?

If you are planning a systematic review and would like support with the process, please contact our Research and Academic Support Librarians Link opens in a new windowin the first instance. They can provide guidance and support throughout your review process. For large volumes of requests, please contact us first via DocumentSupply@warwick.ac.uk, so we can advise on the best approach.

How will I receive my requested item?

Articles and book chapters— typically delivered as PDFs or a secure link to your University email address.
Physical books— made available for collection from the Library. You will be notified by email.
Online books— you will be notified via email once available for online access

Print interlibrary loan items cannot be issued on self-service machines and should not be returned to the Return Machine — please collect and return them to a staffed Library Help Desk between 8:00am and 8:00pm.

Is there a charge for this service?

There is no charge for this service for staff and students at University of Warwick. As some requests do incur a cost to the Library, we kindly ask that you only request items that you genuinely need, helping us make the best use of our resources.

Please note that if an item borrowed from another library is lost or damaged while on loan to you, you may be responsible for any replacement costs, see lost/damaged item section below.

What if my item cannot be supplied?

We will notify you by email if we are unable to obtain the item. This may happen if the item is out of print, the rights-holder restricts copying, no lending library holds it, or acquisition is not feasible due to prohibitive costs, thus, in some cases, we can suggest alternative sources. You may also wish to contact your Research and Academic Support Librarian for further assistance.

The item I need is available at Warwick but on loan - can I use Get It For Me?

Items already held by the Library but currently on loan to another borrower should not normally be requested via Get It For Me.

image showing click and collect button in library search. A dark grey “Click and Collect” button appears below the availability information.

Please place a hold using the Click and Collect option in Library Search (see the image on the left).
We may also hold an electronic version of the title, which can be accessed while you wait for the print copy.

We recommend placing a hold and only submitting a Get It For Me request if the item becomes significantly overdue. An exception may be made where the available format does not meet your accessibility requirements.

Can I track my request? When should I return my Interlibrary Loan (ILL)? Can it be renewed?

Loan periods for interlibrary loans vary depending on the lending library's policy. One renewal per item may be possible but are entirely at the discretion of the lending library and cannot be guaranteed. If you wish to renew, please contact us at least one week before the due date via DocumentSupply@warwick.ac.uk.

Recalls: If you receive a recall notice, please return the ILL item immediately to the Help Desk at the Library from which you collected it.

Lost or damaged Interlibrary Loan items

If an Interlibrary Loan item is lost or damaged while on loan to you, you may be responsible for any replacement or administration charges imposed by the lending library. Charges vary between libraries and can be substantial. For example, the British Library currently applies a minimum charge of £259.25 + VAT for lost items. Other lending libraries may apply similar charges.

How many requests can I submit? Can my request be refused?

Yes. Requests may be declined if the item is already held in Warwick's collection, the request exceeds copyright limits, the item is ineligible (e.g. audiovisual, DVDs for leisure use), the citation cannot be verified, no lending library can be found, or the cost of obtaining it is prohibitive. If we are unable to fulfil your request, we will notify you by email and, where possible, suggest alternative formats or other means of accessing the material.

Can I request items for commercial use? How do I contact you?