I.  Interlibrary borrowing

 Principles

Interlibrary loan is a service that supports the mission of the library by providing enhanced access to library materials and information. The purpose of interlibrary loan is to obtain materials not available in the library and to provide material from the collection to other libraries.

Interlibrary loan service is essential to the vitality of libraries of all types and sizes as a means of greatly expanding the range of materials available to users.  Lending between libraries is in the public interest and should be encouraged.   Interlibrary loan should serve as an adjunct to, not a substitute for, collection development at the local level.  

In meeting patron needs, the library will exhaust local resources first, before requesting items on interlibrary loan. Items in frequent or recurring demand will be considered for purchase.

Users

Interlibrary loan is offered to all registered borrowers residing in New London or rural Henry County in good standing with the H.J. Nugen Public Library.   Interlibrary loan is transacted only from library to library.  Individual patrons from other libraries should request this service from their own library.

The interlibrary loan borrowing privileges of severely delinquent patrons are suspended until any overdue materials have been returned by them.  Failure to return interlibrary loan items on time or to pick up items ordered may result in the suspension of interlibrary loan services for the delinquent patron.

How to Submit a Request

Requests to borrow materials from the library are accepted in person, fax, email, telephone, or mail. Rush requests are accommodated as time and staffing permit.

Turnaround time

Service will be provided as quickly as possible. Turnaround time varies depending upon the lending library and the materials requested. Patrons will be notified by telephone, text message, e-mail, or by mail if the patron does not have a telephone available.

Conditions of Use

The library will strictly observe any conditions for use of loaned materials that are imposed by a lending library.

Charges

The library will not charge its patrons a fee for borrowing via interlibrary loan that can be sent through the free Iowa Shares Program, however if the material requested cannot be located through SILO, the patron will be offered a chance to obtain through OCLC (an out of state interlibrary loan program) which will require an upfront charge of $3.00 per title to cover the cost of postage. The $3.00 will be reimbursed to the patron only if the material cannot be sent. If the lending library specifies that it requires costs for photocopies or mailing a particular requested material, patrons will be consulted about their willingness to pay before materials are borrowed. 

There will be a $3.00 fee assessed for any interlibrary loan requested that is not picked up by the patron that cannot be returned through Iowa Shares and must be mailed instead.

Responsibility

The library will endeavor to collect any charges for overdue materials, loss, or damage from the patron who received the materials. The library will be responsible for materials borrowed on behalf of its patrons, from the time the material leaves the lending library until it is returned there. The library agrees to pay for overdue charges, damage, or loss of materials borrowed on interlibrary loan.

Statistics

The library will maintain records of transactions in order to inform patrons of the status of their requests and will annually report activity as required to the State Library of Iowa.

II. Interlibrary lending

A.   Users

This service is offered to other libraries in the state of Iowa that abide by the conditions set forth in the current terms of agreement of the lending program as administered by the State Library of Iowa.

B.   Materials Available

The library endeavors to make available the broadest range of materials for interlibrary loan. Items not available for interlibrary loan will not be added to the Locator.​​​​​​​

C.   Format for Requests

Requests to borrow materials from the library are accepted via fax, email, telephone, or mail. Rush requests are accommodated as time and staffing permit.

D.   Turnaround

The library will provide speedy turnaround on most requests, usually responding within two (2) days.

E.   Circulation Period

The circulation period for items lent on interlibrary loan will be four weeks + to allow time for the delivery and the pick up of the items. One renewal will be granted unless the material is needed by another patron of the lending library.

F.    Charges

The library will not charge for lending materials. The library will charge the borrowing library for materials that are damaged or lost on interlibrary loan.​​​