Interlibrary loans
Libraries acting on behalf of their clients may request to borrow materials from the Supreme Court of Canada Library. This is called an interlibrary loan.
You may request an interlibrary loan from the Library of the Supreme Court of Canada through your local library.
How to make a request
- An account is required for each library to access the form. Contact us at illpeb@scc-csc.ca to request an account for your library.
- Make sure that the desired document is in the Library’s collection and is available by searching the catalogue.
- Use the interlibrary loan form to place a request.
How much time does it take to get materials?
The Library of the Supreme Court of Canada works hard to deliver materials to external libraries when they need them. It might take longer if the materials are unavailable or if the request is complex.
Borrowing information
Most of our print collection is available for loan. However, the following materials will not be loaned out:
- Looseleaf editions
- Rare books and anything printed before 1900
- New library titles, the most recent journal volumes and other materials from our reserve collection
- Electronic materials that are only available to the Supreme Court of Canada’s staff under licensing agreements with publishers
- Any other item in the collection if, in the opinion of Library staff, lending it would have an adverse effect on service to the Court
There is no limit on the number of items that can be borrowed from the Library, but priority is given to our internal clients, and it is possible that not all items will be available at the time of the request.
Every item on loan is subject to recall in the event that it is requested by a member of the Supreme Court’s staff. An item that is recalled must be returned by the date specified in the recall notice.
A loan may be renewed up to 2 times, provided that a request for renewal is made at least 3 days before the due date.
Loan periods
The loan periods are as follows:
| Material type | Loan period |
|---|---|
| Books | 3 weeks |
| Legislation | 1 week |
| Law reports | 1 week |
| Audiovisual materials | 1 week |
| Journals | 1 week |
Court records
Requests for court records must be made using the Request for Court records form.
How are materials delivered?
When delivering print and audiovisual materials, the Library of the Supreme Court of Canada will use suitable methods of delivery requested by the borrowing library, including courier and Canada Post.
The borrowing library must make all necessary arrangements with the courier and pay for this service. If the borrowing library chooses to have the materials delivered by Canada Post, the Court will ship them at the Library Book Rate.
When requested, the Library will deliver a photocopied or scanned portion of a document in our print collection, provided that what is requested is consistent with copyright laws and that the necessary staff resources are available. If the request cannot be granted, the Library will suggest an alternative source where one exists.
As a rule, the Library will not copy more than 5 percent of a volume.
The Library makes every effort to deliver materials in the client’s preferred format, if permitted by copyright laws, licensing agreements and staff resources.
When print documents not in the public domain are scanned and delivered electronically, it is the responsibility of the borrowing library to print a copy for delivery and destroy the electronic copy.
Lost items
The requesting library is responsible for all items borrowed on behalf of its clients. If one of its clients loses an item from the Library of the Supreme Court of Canada’s collection, the requesting library must either supply the Library with a replacement copy or reimburse the Library for the cost of replacing the item plus associated administrative costs.
Copyright and licensing
The Library’s staff comply with copyright law and will deny requests that violate it. Many electronic resources that the Library provides to Supreme Court staff may be subject to licensing restrictions with which the Library must comply.
If a request is made for materials that are restricted under a licensing agreement, the Library will suggest an alternative source for the materials where possible.
Borrowing privileges
Libraries which repeatedly disregard these procedures may have their borrowing privileges suspended for a period of time to be determined by the Library of the Supreme Court of Canada.