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Borrowing from
other libraries > Interlibrary
Loan Details & Policies
Definition and Scope of InterLibrary Loan:
Interlibrary loan is a cooperative service
in which materials are made available by one library to another
for the use of patrons, through either loan or copying. The Reference
Department provides this service to Seattle University students,
faculty, administrators and staff. Requests may be submitted for
materials which are not in the collection and which are needed for
research, term papers and scholarly reading. The service is regulated
by the national interlibrary loan code and the copyright law of
the United States.
How to Submit a Request:
Requests can be submitted in a number of ways.
Many of the FirstSearch databases have an interlibrary loan module
that allows you to send the request directly from the database by
filling out a form with information on how to contact you when the
item arrives. This is the fastest, most efficient, and preferred
way to submit requests. The library’s web page also has a
link to an electronic interlibrary
loan form that can be filled out online. Paper request forms
can also be picked up at the reference desk and requests can be
sent via email to ill@seattleu.edu.
How Long InterLibrary Loan takes:
Currently the average turn around time for interlibrary
loan requests is eight days. It can take longer if the item is coming
from a library in another part of the country. Delays also occur
when the item requested is not available at a particular library
and the request must be forwarded to additional locations. If the
material is needed by a specific deadline, please indicate the date
on the request form. However, please be aware that a need-by date
will “kill” the request if not filled by the date specified.
(It is better to indicate no date restrictions if the material would
still be of interest after the need-by date.) We always try to obtain
materials as quickly as possible, but we are dependent on the responses
of other libraries to our requests.
What Interlibrary Loan costs:
There are no charges to requesters for material
received on interlibrary loan. In most cases, we can obtain materials
at no charge from a library with whom we have a mutual no-charge
agreement. In other cases, a charge will be imposed by the sending
library but the Seattle University library absorbs that charge.
There are, of course, costs involved for staff time and mailing
but these are considered part of the interlibrary loan process.
Limitations on InterLibrary Loan:
Individuals are limited to ten requests per week
so that transactions from one person will not overload the system.
Loan periods for books are specified by the lending library. Books
are generally loaned for two or three weeks and are often sent with
an indication that no renewals are allowed. If there is no indication
that renewals are not allowed, we can request one renewal from the
lending library. This request should be sent before the due date
indicated on the book. Other restrictions imposed by the lending
library, such as a requirement that the item be used only in the
library, must be followed. Items on loan are subject to recall by
the lending library. Interlibrary loan
cannot be used as a way to obtain textbooks required for a course.
Notification of Arrivals:
Patrons are automatically contacted through the
Seattle University E-Mail system upon receipt of each individual requested
item. Other types of email accounts are not compatible with the system.
Patrons unable to check their SU email can call the ILL Department
(206-296-6359) or the Reference Desk (206-296-6230) to check on the
status of a request at anytime. ILL materials to be picked-up can
be found at the Reference Desk during any open library hours. Materials
which are not picked-up within two weeks are subject to return to
the lending institution. When possible, article copies will be obtained
in PDF format and information on how to access the material will be
emailed to the patron's SU email account. If patrons have difficulty
in retrieving web-posted files they can try using the online guide:
Troubleshooting
Web-Posted ILL Documents. For unresolved access problems, or patrons
who cannot pick-up hardcopy items within 2 weeks at the library, please
contact the ILL Department (206-296-6359 or “ill@seattleu.edu”)
for assistance.
Please Note: The Information Technology
Helpdesk can assist patrons on how to set-up message forwarding
from their SU email accounts. If interested contact the Helpdesk
at 206-296-5571, or email: helpdesk@seattleu.edu
Unfilled Requests:
If we are not able to obtain the item you need,
an interlibrary loan staff person will contact you to explain the
situation. In some instances, we may be able to buy a copy of the
item from a library account, either for you or for the library collection.
However, some items are simply not available due to format, age,
value or other factors. We will work with you to try to find alternative
sources if this is the case.
Fines and Replacement Charges:
The individual receiving a returnable item on
interlibrary loan is responsible for returning it in a timely manner
and in good condition. For lost items, individuals will be responsible
for any replacement charges imposed by the lending library. If materials
are not returned on time, staff will contact you to remind you that
an item is overdue. Materials not returned promptly after that contact
are subject to a fine of 50 cents per day for the first 10 days
and $1.00 per day there after. Failure to return overdue materials
may also result in a university “hold” being placed
on academic transcripts or registration. Interlibrary loan depends
on the generosity of other libraries, and it is important to maintain
good relationships with potential lenders by observing due dates
and any other conditions they impose.
Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions:
The copyright law of the United States (Title
17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other
reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions
specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish
a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions
is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for
any purpose other than 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. This institution reserves the
right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgement,
fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.
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