What is Interlibrary Loan or ILL?
January 15, 2015
Want an item that we don’t have at the Albright Memorial Library? Try our Interlibrary Loan service!
What is ILL?
Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a request to another library for material not owned by the home library. This service is available to users with a
valid library card. Temporary cardholders are not eligible for ILL service.
Is there a cost?
The library does not charge for interlibrary loan services and is able to fill most requests through other non-charging libraries. Some libraries, however, do charge fees. These costs are passed on to the borrower. Payment is required before the ILL material can be charged to the patron. The library accepts cash, money order, check or credit card. If material is not picked up, a $3 fee will be charged to your account.
How do I request a book?
Borrowers can request up to six ILL requests at one time. Once all six requests have been processed and returned to the lending libraries, another six may be submitted. Staff members can assist you with completing forms. Before placing a request, you must verify your contact information with a staff member.
How will I know when my request is available?
Interlibrary loan will notify you when your item is available or if it is not possible to obtain. Locating and receiving a requested item usually takes 2 to 4 weeks, but response times from libraries may vary. The patron who placed the request must present their valid library card when picking up the ILL material.
How long can I have my materials for?
Materials are loaned for 28 days, but may vary due to restrictions from owning library. Please contact ILL 5 days before the due date if you are interested in renewing your materials as some libraries do not allow renewals. Please note that some libraries may only allow materials to be used while in the library.
Materials NOT Available through ILL
Where do I return my materials?
You will return any ILL materials to the library in which you picked the material up at. Other libraries are unable to accept ILL materials not checked out from their library. Please leave all ILL labels and any paperwork with the ILL item.
What happens if I am late returning my materials or loose an item?
Late fines $1 per day. If an item is unreturned or damaged items are billed at the price set by the owning library may include a processing fee. All unreturned items are reported to a collection agency after 10 days at an automatic fee of $10.
Questions?
Contact Tessa Mitchell at 570-348-3000 ext. 3018
ill@albright.org
