Books and articles from other libraries (ILL)

Information about borrowing books and requesting articles from other libraries

General information

If an item is not owned by Leiden University Libraries, you can first try and borrow it from another library. Availability at other libraries can be checked through the PiCarta database (Dutch Central Catalogue). Leiden University students and staff members can obtain a library card free of charge at any of the Dutch University Libraries.


Leiden University Libraries also offer Interlibrary Loan (ILL) facilities. Almost all books and articles owned by over 400 Dutch libraries are at your disposal via ILL. You can check availability through the PiCarta database. To be able to use our ILL services you will need an ILL account.

Creating an ILL account

Library patrons can have an ILL account made at the Information Desk of the University Library, the Social Sciences Library, the Law Library, or the Walaeus Library. The library where the account was created will then be your ILL home library; this is where you collect and return the books, and make deposits into you ILL account. Please choose the library that you visit most frequently as your home library.

You will be issued with a username and password for your ILL account. This password allows you to request books and articles via PiCarta. Requests are paid for in advance, so make sure to have enough credit to your account.

As to loan periods, renewals, reminders and fines, the rules of your ILL home library apply.

Requesting books or articles from other libraries.

To request a book or an article from another library, first find the publication in PiCarta. Log on using the 'personal number' of your LU-Card - including the lower case 's', 'm', or 'g' - and your ILL account password. You can now fill out the PiCarta request form. Books will be delivered at your home library. Articles will be sent to you either via e-mail (PDF) or via regular mail.

One time ILL request

For using the ILL services just once, you do not need to open an ILL account. At the Information Desk at the University Library you will find ILL request forms to fill out. Our staff will then handle your request. Please note that the fee (see below) will still be charged even if you do not collect the requested item.

International requests

If a book or an article is not owned by any of the Dutch libraries participating in PiCarta, we can request it for you through international ILL. Delivery times for international ILL may vary. For this service please contact the Information Desk at the central University Library (UB).

Fees: national ILL

  • Books € 6,50
  • Articles 1-10 copies € 6,50 (every extra page = + € 0,65 )
  • Books, fast service € 13,00
  • Articles fast service 1-10 copies € 13,00 (every extra page = + € 1,30)

Fees: international ILL

  • Books € 26,00
  • Articles 1-10 copies € 13,00 (every extra page = + € 1,30)

Web Editors - University Libraries
Last Modified: 02-04-2013