Principles
Interlibrary Loan is a primary service that supports the mission of the Marshall Public Library by providing enhanced access to library materials and information. The purpose of Interlibrary Loan is to borrow, upon request by a patron, materials not available in the Library, and, by providing material owned by the Library to other libraries, to assist them in meeting their needs.
The Library affirms that Interlibrary Loan is an adjunct to, not a substitute for, the Library’s collection. In meeting patron needs, the Library will exhaust its own collection before requesting items on Interlibrary Loan. Items in frequent or recurring demand will be considered for purchase. The Library will not normally seek loans of material that has been published within the last twelve (12) months.
The Library will keep its Interlibrary Loan policy up to date and make it available to users and other libraries upon request.
Definition
Interlibrary Loan is a transaction in which Marshall Public Library borrows materials directly from another library on behalf of a patron, or another library borrows materials from the Marshall Public Library on behalf of its patron.
Conditions of Service
The Marshall Public Library endorses the principles relating to interlibrary loan, including those of the Idaho Commission for Libraries, the ALA Interlibrary Loan Code, the U.S. Copyright Law and U.S. Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works (CONTU) Guidelines, and all federal and state laws governing confidentiality of records.
Interlibrary Borrowing
Users
This service is offered to all Pocatello City residents holding a valid library card issued by the Marshall Public Library, or to those who have paid the yearly Non-resident Fee. Patrons requesting an Interlibrary Loan assume responsibility for the loan, even if the loan is picked up by someone acting as the requesting patron’s agent. (The agent must have the library card used to place the request.) Parents are responsible for all Interlibrary Loans requested by their minor children.
Patrons with existing fines over $5.00 may not request an interlibrary loan until the amount over $5.00 has been paid. Existing overdue items need to be returned or renewed before placing a request.
Types of Materials Borrowed
Interlibrary Loan is an integral element in collection development. The Interlibrary Loan staff will typically only request materials not owned by the library. Under certain circumstances, Interlibrary Loan staff will request items that are owned by the library. This includes the item being in-repair, missing, or long overdue.
How to Submit a Request
Requests can be submitted online or on paper. Paper request forms are available at either service desk. Requests for photocopies must include indication of compliance with the U.S. Copyright Law. Requests are not taken over the phone.
Turnaround Time
The Marshall Public Library has no control over how long it takes to obtain an Interlibrary Loan and cannot guarantee that materials will arrive by a certain date. Patrons will be notified by telephone, email, or the most expeditious means when their request is ready to be picked up.
Conditions of Use
The Library will strictly observe any conditions for use of loaned materials that are imposed by a lending library. These may include, but are not limited to, use only in the Library.
Charges
Marshall Public Library does not charge patrons for Interlibrary Loan.
Responsibility
Marshall Public Library (or MPL) is responsible for materials borrowed on behalf of its patrons from the time the material leaves the lending library until it is returned to the lending library. Marshall Public Library (MPL) agrees to pay for overdue charges, damage, or loss of materials borrowed on Interlibrary Loan. The Marshall Public Library (or MPL) will then assess the following penalties to the borrowing patron:
- Failure to pick up items requested on Interlibrary Loan will result in a fee of $5.00 per item not picked up.
- Items borrowed on Interlibrary Loan which are returned after the due date will incur overdue charges of twenty-five cents per day, per item.
- Patrons are responsible for any replacement and/or processing charges from lending libraries for any items that are not returned or are damaged.
Statistics
The Library will maintain records of transactions in order to inform patrons of the status of their requests, and will report Interlibrary Loan activity as required.
Interlibrary Lending
User
This service is offered to other libraries that abide by the conditions set forth in Conditions of Service.
Materials Available
The Library endeavors to make available the broadest range of materials for Interlibrary Loan, with the following exceptions.
- Materials limited by licensing agreement.
- Materials designated as non-circulating (e.g. reference material).
- Materials that have been published in the last twelve (12) months.
The Library also reserves the right to refuse to lend materials or to ask a borrowing library to restrict use of materials lent.
Format for Requests
Requests to borrow materials can be made electronically (preferred method), by telephone, or by mail. Rush requests will be accommodated if time and staffing permit.
Turnaround
The Library will fill requests as quickly as possible, striving to provide a response within three (3) business days from the date of receipt of the request.
Circulation Period
The circulation period for items lent on Interlibrary Loan will be 4 weeks. Items are due at the borrowing library on that date and will not be considered overdue at the Library for two (2) weeks after the due date. Unless the materials are needed at the Library, they can be renewed once if a renewal request is received before the due date.
Charges
Except for insurance, photocopy, fax, or special mailing costs, the Library will not normally charge to lend materials. The Library will charge the borrowing library for materials that are overdue, damaged, or lost on Interlibrary Loan.
