Interlibrary Loan Policies

About Interlibrary Loan

In support of the research and scholarship of Walsh College, the Vollbrecht Library’s Interlibrary Loan service (ILL) borrows books, reports, journal articles and other research materials not owned by Walsh. These materials are obtained from sources throughout the United States and around the world. The Interlibrary Loan Office participates in a number of resource sharing agreements and other independent reciprocal relationships.

Eligibility and Cost

The Vollbrecht Library ILL team serves the Walsh College community. This includes currently enrolled students of all levels, faculty and staff. These users must have a valid picture ID and must have their card and current registration validated at the Service Desk of the Library.

Those outside the Walsh College community should contact their home library for interlibrary loan service. Presently Interlibrary loan is funded by Walsh and requests are filled at no cost to the user.

Turnaround Time

The average turn-around time for books is 10 working days and for photocopies is 6 working days. The greatest variable affecting turn-around time is response from the lending library.

Limitations

Some lending libraries may stipulate “for use in library only” or “no photocopying” or “no renewals”. These restrictions must be adhered to. Reference works, materials in special or rare book collections, most dissertations and theses, textbooks and most journals and audio-visual materials cannot be borrowed on interlibrary loan. The Vollbrecht Library is obligated to follow current copyright guidelines, Title 17, U.S. Code.

Note: Loans are not transferable from one person to another.

Pick-Up and Return of Materials

All books must be picked up at the Service Desk and will be charged to the borrower’s Library account. Articles are delivered electronically where possible. If electronic delivery is not possible then they must be picked up at the Circulation Desk or they will be sent via mail. Patrons will be notified by email when materials are ready to be picked up.

• All interlibrary loans must be returned to the Library Circulation Desk
• ILL materials must never be returned through the Library’s book drops.

Book Jacket

A jacket attached to the front of each item contains the due date, patron’s name and any conditions set by the lending library. This jacket must never be removed from the item.

Overdue, Damaged or Lost Materials

The Library charges a fine of $1.00 per day for each overdue interlibrary loan item. All patrons will be BLOCKED from ILL service after the third overdue notice. Failure to receive notification does not relieve borrowers of fines accrued. In addition, failure to return overdue items will result in a hold on the borrower’s record.

When an item is ten or more days overdue the MeLCat system or the OCLC system will declare it LOST and bill as follows:

• $70 replacement fee (refundable if item returned)
• $20 processing fee (non-refundable)
• $10 accumulated overdue fine

Privacy of Interlibrary Loan Records

All interlibrary loan users can expect that under most circumstances, no one outside of library staff will have information on the items which they have requested or used. Library staff will maintain and access interlibrary loan records to the extent needed to manage the interlibrary loan databases: for recalling materials, for identifying and retrieving overdue items and also for billing patrons.

The Vollbrecht Library is committed to protecting the privacy of its users and does so in compliance with the ALA Code of Ethics and the Michigan Library Privacy Act.