Interlibrary Loan FAQs

This ILL service is primarily intended to support Georgetown Law's academic mission, however, personal or leisure materials, unrelated to your class, journal work, seminar paper and research assignment, may still be requested.

Popular readings and leisure materials are not typically carried by academic research libraries and such libraries serve as our ILL loan providers. Thus it may take longer than is standard to process requests for materials held by public libraries. We strongly recommend Georgetown Law members apply for a DC Public Library card to use their services as an alternate option.

Based upon past experiences, the following are materials are not obtainable through this ILL service, therefore, please resort to other options for:

• Audio recordings of any content (e.g. audio books, music, etc.), in any format (e.g. streaming audio, audio files, digital discs, albums, etc.);
  • Georgetown Law Center members may apply for a DC Public Library card and use its downloadable media collections.
  • Consider affordable online options such as Apple's iTunes & Amazon.com.
• Visual recordings of any content, in any format (e.g. streaming video, video files, disc-formats, etc.), including for the purpose of campus public performances / showings for any non-instructional setting.
  • Perform a "Georgetown U. + Local Academic Library" Search to learn if a local academic library owns a copy that a Law Library patron may borrow through the Request from a Local Academic Library loan option.
  • Georgetown Law Center members may apply for a DC Public Library card to play films online or borrow videos.
  • Consider affordable options to rent or purchase video recordings. Check format availability through:
    • JustWatch
    • Reelgood
    • Yidio
  • Check the Law Library FAQ "How can Georgetown University Law Center members watch or stream a film, or publicly show a DVD, on campus?"
• Language learning, self-help, instructional or skills development publications in any non-print format (e.g. audio books, DVDs, files, etc.);
  • Mango Languages available through DC Public Library. Georgetown Law Center members may apply for a DC Public Library card.
  • Some Rosetta Stone CDs are available at Georgetown University main campus' Language Learning Technology (LLT) Center. Search the Center's Media Catalog for the materials accessible at the Center.
  • LinkedIn Learning (formerly called Lynda.com) provides on-demand training videos on software products & digital technologies and is accessible by Georgetown University members.
• Graphic novels, manga magazines, comics or books classified as children, juvenile or young adult reading and games in any format.
  • Use a public library's collection. Georgetown Law Center members may apply for a DC Public Library card.
• Intensely popular titles where demand far exceeds lending supply, (e.g. novel to a newly released movie).
  • Use a public library and be placed on that library's waiting list for the title. Georgetown Law Center members may apply for a DC Public Library card.

To help manage staff time in processing requests for popular materials, a request (1) will only be submitted to non-charging, U.S. libraries, (2) will be submitted to no more than 15 ILL libraries; (3) will be canceled if unfilled after resorting to 15 ILL libraries; and (4) will not be processed as rush orders.