Interlibrary Loan FAQs

• Copy requests could be filled within a few hours to 3 days.
• Book requests filled by more local sources: approximately 3 to 4 business days.*
• Book requests filled by libraries outside our region: approximately 5 to 7 business days.*

*Please note that since the start of COVID-19, we have observed lengthier turnaround periods especially in the receipt of loaned materials due to reduced staffing at ILL libraries and noticeable delays in shipping.

Factors that will affect turnaround time:

• The availability of the item on a library's shelf and the lending office's staffing and shipping practices.
• Titles that are considered non-circulating materials or are limited in availability.
• Federal and local holidays which create service outages as ILL libraries and impacts shipping services.

Regrettably, we simply cannot guarantee the arrival date of any ILL material so please plan well in advance.

Tip: If you need a book/book chapter/article over the weekend when all ILL offices are closed, then perform a "Georgetown Univ. + Local Academic Libraries"  Search to determine which, if any, local academic library may own a copy. Verify that in the matching catalog record that a copy has an 'available' status or that the coverage of the print/electronic journal matches your citation. Then visit the owning library to check-out/scan/download the material on site. (Note: You cannot check-out books directly at any of the local law libraries).