Georgetown Law
Georgetown Law Library

Interlibrary Loan FAQs

Answers to the most commonly asked questions about ILL.

Can Materials for Personal or Leisure Use Be Requested?

Personal or leisure materials unrelated to your Law Center class, work or research may be requested. However, the following materials listed are not eligible for ILL borrowing.

  • Audio recordings of any content (e.g. audio books, music, etc.), in any format (e.g. streaming audio, audio files, CDs, albums, etc.);
  • Visual recordings of any content, in any format (e.g. DVD, Blu-Ray, VHS, streaming video, video files, 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 (non-law) library owns a copy that you can borrow directly.
    • Use the DC Public Library to play films online or borrow their videos as their patron, or use your local public library's ILL service.
    • Consider affordable options to rent or purchase video recordings. Check format availability through:
    • You may submit a purchase suggestion, but we cannot purchase streaming files nor memberships to streaming service providers.
  • Language learning, self-help, instructional or skills development publications in any non-print format (e.g. audio books, DVDs, files, etc.);
  • Graphic novels, manga magazines, comics or books classified as children, juvenile or young adult reading and games in any format.
    • Use your public library's collection or its interlibrary loan service. Anyone attending or working at Georgetown Law 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 your public library by placing your name on the book's waiting list. Anyone attending or working at Georgetown Law may apply for a DC Public Library card.

Personal or leisure requests: (1) will only be submitted to those libraries (located in the U.S.) that do not charge us ILL fees; (2) will be submitted to no more than 15 potential lenders; (3) will be canceled if unfilled after resorting to 15 potential lenders; and (4) will not be processed as rush orders. We will not borrow leisure materials internationally due to the added costs of obtaining from and returning a loan to another country.