This section is split into two parts:
Service speeds
When you order your article you will be offered three service options: Standard, 2 hours and 24 hours*. Some article can also be downloaded immediately as a secure PDF from British Library Direct.
Standard
Standard turnaround time is usually between two and five working days, although 90% of orders are processed within 48 hours. However we can not guarantee response times through the Standard service.
2 hour delivery**
Available between 08.00 Monday and 02.00 Saturday (UK time), excluding public holidays.
24 hour delivery**
Available Monday to Friday, apart from public holidays. However, requests received on a Friday might be dealt with the following Monday.
* If the document you want is available, it will be dispatched within your chosen response time. If there is a problem, or we don’t hold the document, we will instead send you a reply telling you so.
**2 and 24 hour delivery will only be timed from when the order is received at the British Library and is only available on items contained within our collection.
Delivery formats
Over the past few years, we have developed new technologies that allow us to deliver your articles more quickly and effectively than ever before. We are committed to offering a range of delivery options to suit your needs.
Secure Electronic Delivery
1 in 3 customers now receive their articles as an encrypted PDF files through SED. No expensive software is needed; you view and print our documents using AdobeReader.
Post
When sending you documents by post, we always use first-class or airmail. Copies are made as double-sided A4 copies for easy storage.
Fax
Before you first ask for fax delivery, contact Customer Services and tell us the fax number to which you will want us to send your documents. We will keep a record of the number so you don’t need to type it again.
Please note that:
- You may not make further copies from the faxed document. The only exception is if the fax was printed on thermal paper, in which case you may make a single copy before destroying the original paper copy.
- We will not deliver articles more than 30 pages long by fax. Longer articles will be supplied by mail.
Ariel®
Ariel is a method of sending and receiving documents electronically, but you must have Ariel software loaded on your computer to view and print the documents. You can find out more about Ariel at Ariel@infotrieve.com or the Infotrieve - Ariel website.
Please note that:
- You may print only one paper copy from the Ariel transmission, from which you may not make further copies.
- You are not allowed to store the electronic copy in any way once the single paper copy has been made.
- You may not retransmit the Ariel file except in order to allow the original requestor to print the single paper copy allowed above. You may not save or print the document before forwarding it. The file can only be forwarded as an email attachment; it must not be loaded on to a server for downloading by the end user. Files can only be forwarded in the format supplied by the British Library; they must not be manipulated in any way or converted to a different format.
- We will not deliver article more than 30 pages long by Ariel. Longer articles will be sent by mail.
- If you need the complete document resending, because it is defective or is the wrong article, you must destroy the wrong/defective copy and any associated electronic files.
