Lending

Accessing our materials

CRL is a private library. We lend to our member libraries without cost and to other libraries for a fee. CRL does not lend to individuals.

Requesting a Title

Researchers request CRL materials through a library's Interlibrary Loan (ILL) office. 

Requests are accepted through Interlibrary Loan Resource sharing services. Please call 1-800-621-6044 ext.288 or email us with any questions.

Digital Delivery

CRL provides digital access to our materials pursuant to the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law (17 U.S.C. 107). Digital materials that are out of copyright are available open access to the general public, free of charge. 

Sometimes the condition of material or the quality of our material means that loan of an item is more satisfactory than a digital copy. In these cases, CRL staff will offer to send the library the original format for loan.

CRL Partners in Resource Sharing

• Borrow Direct
• Linda Hall Library
• Prospector
• Rapid
• UBorrow
• Please contact Access Initiatives to suggest new partners for resource sharing.

How to Submit Requests

OCLC ILL subsystem.

• CRL’s OCLC symbol is CRL. CRL suggests that members put CRL first in the lender string and enter CRL twice or more to ensure the request stays open.
• ILL offices should request materials through OCLC when CRL’s holdings symbol is attached to the bibliographic record.
• CRL completed retrospective conversion for most of its cataloged titles, entering all records into OCLC

ALA Request Forms

• CRL accepts requests submitted on the standard American Library Association (ALA) Interlibrary Loan Request form, either sent through the mail or via fax.

Email

• ILL offices may email Access Initiatives staff to verify holdings before submitting a request.
• CRL will accept ILL requests through email.

Shipping Loaned Items

CRL sends loaned materials by UPS unless a courier is specified. If your patron requires expedited delivery, CRL will ship items via any shipping or courier service. If we pay additional or unusual costs for shipping CRL will pass these costs on to the library. 

Returns may be sent via UPS, or USPS library rate. When possible, libraries should include a copy of the original loan paperwork with returned items.

CRL's collection is available through our Interlibrary Loan or onsite at our Chicago Reading Room. CRL loans to all member libraries included in an institution’s subscription. For information about what libraries are included in a membership, please contact Access Initiatives.

Requests

The entire CRL collection is eligible for loan to our members. Digital delivery is possible when volumes are out of copyright.

Loans

Loans from CRL are meant to accommodate the needs of scholarly research. Our intention is to provide all materials needed, for as long as they are needed.

• CRL loans to CRL voting member libraries for six months with unlimited renewals.
• Member libraries are allowed an unlimited number of requests.
• A request can be for any amount of material.
• Material requested by another member will be recalled after two weeks of use. Borrowers are expected to return material immediately upon recall.

Demand Purchase Program

CRL's Demand Purchase Program acquires new material in response to loan requests for materials not held in CRL's collection in three areas, archival materials, newspapers, or International doctoral dissertations. A member's ILL department initiates requests for demand purchases. Include a note on the ILL request, “Please purchase if not owned.” As funds permit, CRL will acquire $2,000 per patron at a member library each year. CRL may turn down demand purchase requests for held materials available at member libraries.

Learn more about the Demand Purchase Program by visiting this page.

Digital Delivery

CRL will fill ILL requests through digitalization when the material is not in copyright and the request can be completed within a reasonable amount of time. Larger requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis as we have capacity. CRL provides access to scanned material on our digital delivery platform. When a request is completed, a link is sent to the requesting library.

All digitized content is fully searchable and can be downloaded in PDF files. We link to digitized material through the online catalog and create records in WorldCat. See also our collections Services page for more information.

We prefer to deliver fragile items digitally where copyright allows. If a request includes a significant amount of fragile material, CRL will notify the requesting institution that we will digitize and send a link to the delivery platform.

Article Delivery

CRL provides copies of journal and newspaper articles in compliance with copyright guidelines and fair use provisions. CRL provides these copies as scanned images, or as photocopy documents when specifically requested. Copies are delivered in several ways Odyssey, Article Exchange, Email, and photocopies mailed by USPS first class mail.

CRL's has an arrangement with the Linda Hall Science Library to provide document delivery of articles to members through the RapidILL document delivery service.

CRL accepts ILL requests from non-member libraries for a fee. CRL does not lend to individuals or organizations without a library. Researchers at non-member research institutions may borrow from CRL through the library with whom they are affiliated.

Non-member borrowing libraries agree to the following:

• Safe return of the requested material to CRL after a 30-day loan period.
• Return postage of material by UPS or similar service.
• Immediate return of material upon recall.
• If recalled no part of the fee will be refunded.
• Return materials in original containers in which they were sent.
• A fine of $20 if the original container is not included or is replaced. 
• Pay all replacement or recovery costs if material is damaged or lost. 

Loan Periods and Recall

Non-members in the United States and Canada may borrow materials for 30 days. Loans are subject to recall after two weeks of use. CRL will recall material when it is requested by a member library. CRL does not renew loans to Non-member Libraries. 

CRL does not lend volumes held in paper outside the United States and Canada. 

CRL defines one loan as a single title of less than:

• 4 Volumes
• 4 Microfilm reels
• 4 Fiche 
• An article of up to 50 pages.

Digitization of CRL Material

CRL provides digital access to our materials pursuant to the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law (17 U.S.C. 107).

Non-member libraries pay a fee to digitize eligible CRL material that is not in copyright. Once digitized this material will be freely available on our digital delivery platform. Digital materials that are out of copyright are available open access to everyone on the web, regardless of membership status.

Fees are calculated based on labor and resources required to complete the project. Fees must be paid in advance.

CRL supplies images suitable for research needs. We supply the best copy we can. This is subject to the condition of the material from which we are digitizing. We do not provide high resolution images for publication.

Sale of a reproduction for scholarly research does not grant authorization to publish. In all cases, it is the researcher's responsibility to determine whether materials are under copyright, to discover who owns the copyright, and to obtain permission to publish.

Fees and Payment Methods

All Interlibrary Loan requests are prepaid. Articles and digitization of uncopyrighted material is $175.00 per request. We do not accept IFLA vouchers for loans.

Payment may be made by Credit Card or IFM. An additional processing fee of 3.8% is charged for credit card payments. To make a request via OCLC (IFM) enter a valid IFM code in the MAXCOST field of the ILL request form. Make sure the value of MAXCOST is greater than or equal to the cost of the loan. For Credit Card payments, contact CRL Access Initiatives to arrange payment at 773-955-4545 ext.267 or email us.

Using the CRL Reading Room as a Non-Member

Individual Researchers and those affiliated with non-member libraries may make an appointment to use our Reading Room in Chicago. Appointments to use the Reading Room should be made at least 3 days in advance of a visit. All materials are paged prior to the date of the appointment. 

Under no circumstances may visitors browse our stacks. Please see our Reading Room page for more information, call Access Initiatives at 1-800-621-6044 ext. 288.or email us.

For a list of CRL members, please see our members list.

For information on how to join CRL please visit our becoming a member page.

OCLC ILL subsystem

• CRL’s OCLC symbol is CRL. CRL suggests that members put CRL first in the lender string and enter CRL twice or more to ensure the request stays open.
• ILL offices should request materials through OCLC when CRL’s holdings symbol is attached to the bibliographic record.
• CRL completed retrospective conversion for most of its cataloged titles, entering all records into OCLC

ALA Request Forms

• CRL accepts requests submitted on the standard American Library Association (ALA) Interlibrary Loan Request form, either sent through the mail or via fax.

Email

• ILL offices may email Access Initiatives to verify holdings before submitting a request.
• CRL will accept ILL requests through email.

Shipping Loaned Items

CRL sends loaned materials by UPS unless a courier is specified. If your patron requires expedited delivery, CRL will ship items via any shipping or courier service. If we pay additional or unusual costs for shipping CRL will pass these costs on to the library. 

Returns may be sent via UPS, or USPS library rate. When possible, libraries should include a copy of the original loan paperwork with returned items.

Document Delivery

CRL provides digitized copies of articles on request, in compliance with copyright guidelines and fair use provisions. CRL provides these copies as scanned images, or as photocopy documents when specifically requested. Copies are delivered in several ways:

• Odyssey
• Article Exchange
• Email pdf
• Fax
• Photocopies mailed by USPS first class mail

Sometimes the condition of material or the quality of our material means that loan of an item is more satisfactory than a digital copy. In these cases, CRL staff will offer to send the library the original format for loan.

Booking the Reading Room

Contact the Access Initiatives Department, 1-800-621-6044 ext.288 or email usto schedule a visit.

All researchers are welcome to use our reading room by appointment. Those not affiliated with a CRL member library pay a fee. Check our member list for your affiliation.

The reading room is located in Chicago at 6050 S. Kenwood Ave. Reading room appointments are available Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (CST). Next day appointment are not always be available, please make appointments at least three days before a visit. 

The reading room is equipped with microform readers, printers, and power outlets for the use of researchers while on site. Within reason, users may bring their own devices, such as laptops, phones, and cameras. CRL reserves the right to prohibit visitors and equipment that is unreasonable, unlawful, or hazardous.

CRL follows fair use guidelines for copyright. CRL staff will not provide copyright or publication advice to reading room users. Images captured from CRL material are understood to be for personal research use.

Requesting Materials for Use in the Reading Room

• Include a list with catalog links for all titles you would like to review. Note that you cannot add titles on the day of your appointment. For large amounts of material multiple days on site are suggested.

Reading Room Fees

• All fees for visits are paid on the day of the visit.
• Payment with cash or credit card is accepted.
• There is an added fee for credit card transactions.
• Independent researchers and not-for-profit agencies are charged a fee of $25.00 per day.
• Undergraduate/graduate students and faculty at non-member universities are charged a fee of $50.00 per day.
• Commercial users are charged a fee of $75.00 per day.
• Should a visitor need added days to review material an additional daily fee will be charged.

in 2012, CRL and the Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering & Technology (LHL) formed a strategic partnership to preserve and  build research collections in the fields of science, technology, and engineering.  

Since July 1, 2012, CRL libraries have had access to the combined CRL and Linda Hall science, technology, and engineering (STE) print serials. Articles from these current and back issues of over 50,000 journal titles acquired and maintained by CRL and Linda Hall are available through the Rapid ILL service. 

There is no cost to CRL libraries for use of this service through the partnership arrangement. Requests sent directly to Linda Hall Library will be charged an ILL fee. For more information, libraries should contact CRL’s Access Initiatives staff.

As funds permit, CRL will acquire archival materials, newspapers, or international doctoral dissertations at a maximum cost of $2,000 per patron per year.  CRL acquires items in response to loan requests for materials not held, through the Demand Purchase Program. Member ILL offices initiate requests for demand purchases by indicating in the borrowing note field on the ILL request form: “Please purchase if not owned.” CRL may decline to purchase materials which are readily available from one or more member libraries.

Former non-CRL member libraries that participated in the Global Resources Projects (1963 - 2025) may borrow materials collected through the programs they joined. To borrow, email Access Initiatives (asd@crl.edu) with your request.

Africana Materials Project (CAMP)
Former CAMP members may borrow these resources from CRL:  List of CAMP Records

Latin American Materials Project (LAMP)
Former LAMP members may borrow these resources from CRL:  List LAMP of Records

Middle Eastern Materials Project (MEMP)
Former MEMP members may borrow these resources from CRL: List of MEMP Records

South Asian Materials Project (SAMP)
Former SAMP members may borrow these resources from CRL:   List of SAMP Records

Southeast Asian Materials Project (SEAM)
Former SEAM members may borrow these resources from CRL:  List of SEAM Records 

Slavic and East European Materials Project (SEEMP)
Former SEEMP members may borrow these resources from CRL:  List of SEEMP Records

The Global Resources Programs included six communities of interest that worked with CRL to preserve and provide access to rarely held research materials from designated world regions. In 2025 the Area Microform Projects and Global Resource Network Projects were reorganized into the Global Collections Committees. For information on the current work by these committees please refer to the current page for the Global Collections Committee. For historical information on these programs, see this webpage.