Interlibrary Loans

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service to the researchers and non-research staff by obtaining material not owned by the Human Sciences Research Council library.  For this purpose, HSRC participates in interlibrary loans partnerships for sharing of resources that are facilitated by Sabinet and the National Library of South Africa. 

• The amount of time taken for requested materials to arrive depends upon several factors such as completeness and accuracy of citations, number of lending libraries that hold the material, proximity of the lending library, and transit (mail) time. Generally, a minimum of 8-10 working days is needed to search, process, and receive each request. For books, the patron will be notified by email. Items should be picked up promptly. For articles, all materials received electronically by the interlibrary loan department are sent to patrons. 

• Article Exchange, a software tool, will be applied as the standard electronic means for the delivery of articles.
• Fax or mail delivery is acceptable in cases where the requesting or supplying library does not have the necessary facilities to receive or transmit articles electronically.
• Books will be posted by mail or can be collected by the requesting library.

• The lending institution determines the loan period for books, microforms, and other non-photocopy items. Renewals are contingent upon the lending institution. Institutions that loan materials reserve the right to recall items at any time for their users.