Interlibrary Loan Policy
PURPOSE
The Fountaindale Public Library provides interlibrary loan services in order to provide patron access to library resources that are not available in our library. Materials are borrowed from other libraries outside of our district and we provide materials from our collections to other libraries. Use of this service is governed by the policy established by the Library Board of Trustees and any applicable rules or regulations adopted by the Library. The Executive Director as the executor of the policy for the Board of Trustees has discretion in determining what use is “in the best interest of the library” and is authorized to act accordingly, including limiting the use of circulating items by individuals whose activities interfere with Library operations, adversely affect public safety, or cause public disturbances. The Board of Trustees may modify, amend or supplement this policy, as it deems necessary and appropriate.
ELIGIBLE USERS
Interlibrary loan is available to anyone with a library card in good standing from Fountaindale Public Library and Pinnacle Library Cooperative libraries that agree to the provision of these services outside of their home library.
Teacher Cards are not eligible for interlibrary loan requests.
Non-Pinnacle card holders must go to their home library for ILL services.
TYPICAL TIME FOR FULFILLMENT
The interlibrary loan process can typically take 2-6 weeks for materials to arrive. Materials that are being borrowed from outside Illinois take longer to arrive. The library cannot guarantee the availability of materials or how quickly they may arrive.
COST
Some libraries do charge fees to loan their materials. There may also be charges for photocopies. If that is the case, a Fountaindale staff member will notify the patron to determine whether they would still like to borrow the item and pay the fees.
LIMITATIONS
The following materials are not available to request through interlibrary loan:
- Materials that have been published in the past 12 months
- Textbooks
- Digital Materials (For example: eBooks, eAudiobooks)
- Kits and Realia
- LP Albums
- Excessive copies of one title
- Equipment and Electronic Devices
- Formats the library no longer owns, including VHS Movies, Books on Cassette, and Computer Software
- Items owned or on order by a Pinnacle library unless they are Lost or Missing
Requests for Fountaindale-sponsored book discussion groups need to be identified when the ILL request is made. The date of the discussion must be included on the request.
ILL staff will attempt to borrow requested materials available at libraries located within the United States or Canada.
NUMBER OF REQUESTS ALLOWED PER PERSON
Each cardholder is limited to 5 requests a day. The maximum number of active requests at any one time is 35.
PATRON RESPONSIBILITIES
The label or paperwork that accompany interlibrary loan material must be returned with the item. The cardholder may be charged for the material or for overdue fines if the paperwork is not with the item.
Material must be picked up and returned to Fountaindale Public Library, its Bookmobile, and its book drops but not to any other library. Overdue fines may be charged if material is returned to another library.
Materials borrowed through interlibrary loan must be picked up within five days of notification. If materials are not picked up on a regular basis, interlibrary loan privileges may be suspended.
If a patron regularly does not return interlibrary loan materials on their due dates or otherwise abuses this interlibrary loan Policy, interlibrary loan privileges may be suspended.
Cardholders and associated accounts may not re-request the same item more than three times in a 12 month period.
NOTIFICATION METHODS
If there are any questions about a request, ILL staff will attempt to contact the cardholder according to the information in the cardholder’s library account.
When interlibrary loan materials arrive, the cardholder will be notified according to the information in the cardholder’s library account.
LOAN PERIOD & RENEWALS
The loan period for interlibrary loan materials is based upon Fountaindale Public Library’s set loan periods for the District. Typically loan periods are seven days for feature movies and three weeks for other items. ILL items do count toward any limits established for cardholders.
The lending library may impose restrictions on loans that may include using the material in our library only or not allowing photocopying.
Renewals of interlibrary loan materials are permitted on the condition that the lending library approves the renewal. Renewals can only be requested by interlibrary loan staff before the due date. There is no guarantee that the lending library will allow a renewal. There is a maximum of one renewal available. Overdue items will not be renewed.
FINES AND OVERDUE ITEMS
Overdue fines will be charged for material returned past the due date. These fines can be found in Appendix 2 of the Fountaindale Public Library Circulation Policy.
Patrons who have overdue items may have ILL privileges suspended until the item is returned and/or account charges are paid.
BILLED, LOST AND DAMAGED ITEMS
Material that is not returned, is lost, or is damaged will result in fines and fees. These fines and fees are determined by the owning library. Replacement copies will not be accepted; the cardholder will pay for the replacement of the material.
No refunds are available for interlibrary loan materials.
FAILURE TO COMPLY
Fountaindale Public Library District staff reserves the right to invalidate a library account and to grant temporary extensions of account privileges in appropriate circumstances.
DAMAGES AND LIABILITY
Any individual shall be held responsible for willful or accidental damage to interlibrary loan materials caused by the individual and/or when checked out to their account or accounts for which they are responsible.
APPEAL AND REVIEW
The Board of Trustees of the Fountaindale Public Library District will review the interlibrary loan policy and regulations periodically and reserves the right to amend them at any time. The Board authorizes the Executive Director to waive regulations under appropriate circumstances. The Executive Director is the chief person empowered to make decisions regarding the circulation of items and procedures as related to lending and borrowing. The Executive Director has delegated authority to implement this policy to the Collection Management and Technical Services Manager.
Any appeals for changes to, or exceptions to, any portion of the interlibrary loan policy will be considered. An individual wishing to file an appeal shall submit it to the Executive Director in writing. The Executive Director will respond in writing.
APPROVED SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
