Inter-Library loan can be an inexpensive method of obtaining information like an article or essay that doesn’t take up a significant portion of the book for which you are searching.

You need to give the librarian some information about the publication, obviously.

For a book, you would need to give at least the author and title. Other information like the year of publication, volume number, or ISBN also might be useful if they apply. Knowing the page numbers you require could be very important if, as in yesterday’s entry, Getting the Book You Want, another library has the item but will not lend it out (this is the case particularly with rare or reference only items). That library might agree to make copies of the relevant pages and send those.

For magazines or periodicals the essential information would include title, volume number, issue number, date of issue or publication and probably the title of the article and its author’s name. Again, it wouldn’t hurt to have the page numbers, too.

Inter-Library Loan items come in at varying time rates. I have often received items within a week or two. I’m still waiting for material I ordered from the Ontario Archives in June (they are consistently VERY slow). So, it’s a good idea, if you are working to deadline, to order as soon as you know you want the item.

The amount of time you can use the item will vary, too. Usually I’m allowed two weeks. Some libraries will accept requests for an extended due date if the initial period is not long enough for your purposes. That might depend upon the demand and supply of the particular item, though.