Library Orientation for International Students

Scan & Deliver enables you to obtain scans of book chapters and journal articles in the general collections of the University of Chicago Library for your research.

Watch the 60-second video to learn how to use the library's Scan & Deliver service.

Which service should I use: Scan & Deliver or Interlibrary Loan?

• For items in the University of Chicago Library collections: use Scan & Deliver
• For items not in the Library's collections: use Interlibrary Loan

What are the advantages of Scan & Deliver?

• Save time by requesting electronic copies of items held in the University of Chicago Library
• Receive requests quickly and conveniently online

Who can use Scan & Deliver?

• Current University of Chicago students, faculty, and staff

How do I use Scan & Deliver?

Users can place an order in one of three ways:

• By completing the online Scan & Deliver request form
• By choosing the Scan & Deliver link next to eligible items in the Library Catalog.
• By choosing the Scan & Deliver link from within the FindIt! menu within many Library online resources.

See How to Use Scan & Deliver for more information.

How many requests may I submit?

You may place up to 200 requests per quarter, but the Scan & Deliver service may only be able to process 5 requests per person per day, depending on staffing and overall request volume.

How quickly do requests arrive?

• Requests usually arrive within 4 business days. 
• An email notification is sent once requests are available to view and download.

Scan Quality 

• Legible scans at 300 DPI
• Higher quality scans are not available

Are there limits on what can be scanned?

Due to copyright guidelines established in consultation with University Legal Counsel, the Library will not scan more than:

• A chapter or two from a book (amounting to no more than 20% of the entire book)
• An article or two from a periodical or newspaper (amounting to no more than 20% of a single issue)

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of the photocopies or other reproductions of the copyright materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, library and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than in private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. The University of Chicago Library reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order, if, in its judgement fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

In addition, staff will not copy material placed on course reserve, held in the Special Collections Research Center, or that are in microform. Staff will copy up to 75 pages of a requested item as long as this does not exceed the above copyright policy. Staff will process one chapter or article per request. Please submit requests for two articles or two chapters on separate requests.

Email: scan-and-deliver@lib.uchicago.edu

Please contact us if you have any additional questions or would like to provide feedback about Scan & Deliver.