Interlibrary Loan FAQs

This Law Library ILL service is not staffed 24/7 and does not support a guaranteed rush or fast service option. Though the local academic library loan service, facilitated by the nearby Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) member libraries, may operate throughout the week, it does not support rush service requests.

Here are tips for the occasions when any current Georgetown University Law Center member needs something urgently, especially after business hours and over the weekends.

Visit a WRLC Local Academic (Non-Law) Library

1. Check the catalog under "Georgetown U. + Local Academic Libraries" in the catalog.
2. Find a library that has a copy of the book or print journal volume that has a status of "Available"
3. Visit the library.
4. Book: Retrieve the book from the shelf and check it out with your Georgetown University (mobile) GoCard.
   • If you want the book held by the owning library, you must call that library's circulation desk and ask if that is possible. You cannot place holds for specific libraries through the catalog.
5. Article in a printed journal / Chapter in book: Retrieve the print journal volume or book and make copies on-site.
   • You will not be allowed to check out print journals.
   • Ask that library's circulation desk about public photocopying and scanning options.

Local law libraries are not full members of WRLC and not full participants of the local academic loan service. They may not allow you to enter even their buildings with a Georgetown University ID. You do not have borrowing privileges at local law libraries. Please contact that law library's access services department, or consult this Law Library's Reference Services, before visiting.

Visit the Library of Congress (LOC) or Law Library of Congress

1. Check the Library of Congress catalog to verify that it owns the title and, in the catalog record, identify which of its Reading Room will allow public researchers to use the material on-site.
2. Check the LOC Reading Rooms schedule.
3. All researchers must register for a LOC Reader's Card.
4. Read LOC's Requesting Materials in the LC Online Catalog guide.
5. No one from Georgetown University Law Center has direct borrowing privileges at LOC. Materials may not be taken outside of the library. However, scans can be made.

For electronic materials, like articles, off a database not subscribed to by the Law Library, check a local academic (non-law) library's A-Z list of databases usually provided on a library's website. If the local academic (non-law) library is a WRLC member and has the database you need (and it covers the dates or volumes of your citation), then using your Georgetown University ID visit that non-law library. It would be best if you contact the reference desk at that library to make sure you can access the database on a public computer station and that the database is not restricted to their school or individually assigned credentials. Like this Law Library, local academic libraries may have databases, such as Lexis, Westlaw & Bloomberg Law, that cannot be freely accessed on-site by those who are not directly affiliated with the school. Local academic law libraries are not full members of the local academic libraries and may not allow you to even enter their buildings with a Georgetown University ID.

This Law Library does not know the sign-on credentials for licenses belonging to other libraries. Libraries do not hand out sign-on credentials for their licensed electronic subscriptions to other libraries or individuals who are not their patrons.

Before visiting any library, check the most current access policy. Your current affiliation with Georgetown Law may not guarantee building access at other libraries. Libraries may have limited or restricted access and services during certain periods in the year.