Interlibrary Loan Service

The Law Library strives to own all material necessary to pursue legal scholarship and education. From time to time, however, we must borrow items from other libraries to meet the needs of our patrons, hence the expression "interlibrary loans" (ILLs.)

Who May Use This Service?

The Law Library will borrow books and articles on behalf of law faculty, students and staff. If you would like to place an ILL request please submit the ILL Request Form. MSU faculty, students and staff should use the ILL services available through the Main Library.

How Long Will It Take?

Depending on the location of the lending library, the requested resource could arrive in a few days or it could take more than a week. Requests for electronic copies often arrive more quickly than print resources.

Where Do I Pick Up and Return the Material?

You will receive an e-mail notice when the material arrives. You may pick up and return items to the Law Library Circulation Desk. Books must be returned when due. Copies of articles will be yours to keep. Article or book chapter scans will be delivered via the email address provided within 4 business days unless otherwise noted by the ILL staff.

What Kind of Material Can I Borrow?

We can typically obtain single volume books and copies of articles. However, some books and other media rarely circulate and are nearly impossible to borrow. For example, most libraries will not circulate audio-visual material, print loose-leafs, multi-volume, serial or reference materials. Microfiche and microfilm rarely circulate, but it is often possible to get print copies from microtext, provided you can produce a citation.

Terms & Conditions

We will be happy to request material on your behalf, but please observe all due dates and lending requirements when you borrow material through the ILL program. The Library’s participation in the ILL program is a privilege, not a right. Violation of the terms of a borrowing agreement could jeopardize individual borrowing privileges, and put the Library’s participation in the program at risk. The copyright law of the United States (Title 17 United States Code) governs reproduction of copyrighted material. Libraries and archives are authorized to furnish reproductions under limited circumstances including private study, scholarship and research. If you request a reproduction and use it in excess of these "fair use" limits, you may be liable for copyright infringement. The Law Library reserves the right to refuse to process a copying request if fulfillment of the order could involve violation of copyright law.