Interlibrary Loans Service
Middle Temple Library operates an interlibrary loan scheme enabling members to access resources not held by Middle Temple Library from other institutions participating in interlibrary lending. Middle Temple Library may also loan materials from its collection to other organisations; restrictions on what materials can be loaned are listed below.
Borrowing
Only members of The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple may use the interlibrary loan service for borrowing. Members may request up to three items at one time, and all items need to be returned before a new request can be initiated.
Members may request loans of items or e-delivery of articles, not held in Middle Temple’s collection or the collections of the other Inns of Court's libraries. Items are not generally available for consulting outside the Library, unless the lending library permits this.
To request an item, please complete the below form:
Once we are in receipt of your request, we will reach out to lending libraries, which hold the item(s) to see if they can supply the material. Invoices must be settled before the lending library can supply the item(s).
Fees apply for this service and charges are listed below; these charges are paid in advance of receiving the material.
- Loan borrowing from British Library: £22.65 + £5.00 postage fee
- E-delivery articles from British Library: £15.50
- Loan borrowing and e-delivery from other organisations can vary; requesters will be notified in advance of payment when the supplying library has confirmed costs
- Lost or damaged items: Replacement cost of £259.27 billed to user; damaged items at the discretion of the Head of the Library, up to replacement cost depending on damage
Turnaround time for the supply of items can vary but is generally 4- 5 working days for loans and scans. You will be notified if supply is not possible or is expected to exceed this time frame.
Please note items can only be supplied for private study or research purposes, we are unable to fulfil requests for commercial purposes.
Lending
Middle Temple Library also participates in lending materials to organisations, which hold an account with the British Library Document Supply Services Billing Account.
Middle Temple Library only lends previous/older editions of textbooks and items from our borrowing collection. The Library is unable to lend serials including law reports, journals, and legislative material. We are also unable to lend items from our current textbook collection, and the Library has the option to refuse lending for any material in fragile or poor condition. Items are not available for home lending. Please consult our catalogue for holdings.
Charges for lending are in line with recommended fees by the British Library:
- Loan borrowing: £22.65
- E-delivery articles: £15.50
Email requests should be sent to library@middletemple.org.uk. Include “interlibrary loan” in the subject line. Please note your British Library Account number and your Library code.
Our turnaround time is 4-5 working days.
If you have any additional questions about this service please contact the Library at library@middletemple.org.uk.