Document Delivery

What can we supply?
Who can use the document delivery service?
What does it cost? How do I make the payment? How long does it take? Further information

What can we supply?

We can supply electronic or hard copies of journal articles and parts of books for the purposes of research and private study. Documents are supplied subject to UK copyright law and you are limited to requesting one article per journal issue and one chapter or 5% of a book, although you can make as many requests as you wish from separate journals or books. Electronic articles are supplied in PDF format.

Who can use the document delivery service?

1. Academic/research organisations in developing and transition countries

Through our partnership with the Global Development Network, we can offer free document delivery to eligible organisations in Southern/developing countries. To sign up for this service you will first need to set up a profile on the GDN website, then apply for a document delivery account. Find out more.

 2. Individuals in the UK and overseas

Please locate the document you require (or the book or journal that contains it) through a catalogue search, then click on the ‘request a copy’ link. You will be asked to complete a request form which includes a copyright declaration – this must be signed and returned to us (post or PDF attached to email) before your document can be delivered.

 3. Overseas libraries and information services

You may request documents on behalf of your members. Please locate the required document through a catalogue search, then click on the ‘request a copy’ link. A copyright declaration must be signed by the requester and retained by you. You can place requests on a one-off basis, or open an account with us.
Please note: if you are a member of a UK or Irish university/institution your librarian or information officer may be able to obtain a journal article or book for you through the interlibrary loans service. Find out more.

What does it cost?

Eligible research organisations in developing countries can receive FREE document delivery through our partnership with the Global Development Network.

For other users, an emailed document (up to 20 pages) costs £8.50. See breakdown of delivery methods and charges

How do I make the payment?

Your request form will ask you to specify your payment method (card or cheque) and provide your details. Organisations may choose to be invoiced instead.

How long does it take?

Standard delivery requests usually take between 48 and 72 hours to fulfil, from the time the request is received. For guaranteed 24 hour delivery you can opt for express delivery, for a higher charge.  Note that as requests are not dealt with at any time on Saturdays or Sundays, requests made on Fridays may not be delivered until the following Monday at the earliest. We are also unable to fulfil any requests on public holidays or the few other days during the year when we are closed. Posted documents take longer, and will depend on the postal service.

Further information

Download a guide to the free GDN/BLDS document delivery service
Download a guide to the standard BLDS document delivery service
Sign up to be alerted to new additions to the BLDS catalogue

Contact

Rachel Playforth
docdel@ids.ac.uk
+44 (0)1273 915648

BLDS, Institute of Development Studies, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RE

Feedback from our users

"BLDS has been kind enough to make available published materials that are not easily available here in Nigeria at very short notice.”
– Victor Adetula, EurAfrica Associates, Nigeria

"Thanks so much for getting this document to me so quickly. I continue to be amazed at the helpful and speedy service provided by the BLDS. Please know that your work is greatly appreciated.”
– Clive Bruzas, South Africa

“[BLDS provides] access to a great range of material and a quick response. [The service] has given us greater access to international articles as well as South African published material. It ... informs our research and helps keep the Institute up-to-date.”
– Clare Kruger, South Africa