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SEMLS INTERLIBRARY LOAN PROTOCOLS & GUIDELINES
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Introduction
Interlibrary Loan is the process by which a library requests materials from another library or commercial provider and/or supplies materials to another library. The Region provides Interlibrary Loan service to supplement and expand the range of materials an individual library can make available to its users. No one library can be expected to have the resources necessary to meet all the needs of its users, thus interlibrary loan service is essential to libraries of all types and sizes. The Region subscribes to the provisions of the National Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States as its framework for interlibrary loan. Interlibrary Loan serves as an adjunct, not a substitute for, local collection development. All member libraries are encouraged to develop an interlibrary loan policy.
The SouthEastern Region recognizes that interlibrary loan
arrangements have been developed by libraries and networks
and that these arrangements may provide the most efficient
and expeditious services to users. The Region's interlibrary
loan service is separate from these cooperative agreements.
It is not the intent of the regional interlibrary loan program
to replace the nature of interlibrary lending under these
arrangements. Member libraries may choose to borrow materials
through such cooperative agreements and, by doing so, assume
responsibility for any costs, which may be imposed by the
lending library. A library, using mediated regional interlibrary
loan service, may not charge for any loans they make to other
member libraries who are using mediated regional interlibrary
loan service.
Borrowing Library Responsibilities
Every library should provide the resources to meet the current and recurring needs and interests of its primary clientele. Materials requested from another library should generally be limited to those items that do not fall into the library's collection development policy or for which there is no recurring demand. Libraries should make every effort to exhaust their own resources before resorting to interlibrary loans.
The borrowing library
- is responsible for the safety of any materials borrowed from the time the material leaves the lending library until it is received back by the lending library.
- is responsible for packaging the material so as to ensure its return in good condition. If damage or loss occurs, the borrowing library must meet all costs of repair or replacement in accordance with the preferences of the lending library.
- must comply with the conditions of loan established by the lending library.
- should encourage library users to travel to other libraries for on-site access to materials when extensive use of a collection is required or when the nature of the material requires special handling.
Lending Library Responsibilities
The decision to loan material is at the discretion of the lending library. Each member is encouraged to interpret as generously as possible its own lending policy with due consideration to the interests of its primary clientele. Any member who wishes to borrow materials must be willing to lend materials.
The lending library should:
- process requests promptly.
- clearly state the conditions of loan.
- package material carefully.
- notify the borrowing library when unable to fill a request and if possible state the reason why.
- inform the borrowing library of any apparent failure to follow the provisions of this code.
Terms of Borrowing
- Interlibrary loan staff of member libraries should be familiar with and use all relevant interlibrary loan documents and aids.
- All member libraries should inform users of the purpose of interlibrary loan and of the library's interlibrary loan policy. All users of a member library should be eligible for interlibrary loan.
- Requested material must be described as completely and accurately as possible following accepted bibliographic practice. If an item cannot be verified, the statement "cannot verify" should be included along with information about the original source of citation.
- Accepted interlibrary loan formats should be used for all requests, regardless of the means of transmission.
- The borrowing library is responsible for compliance with copyright law and its accompanying guidelines and should inform its users of applicable portions of the law. An indication of copyright compliance must accompany all photocopy requests submitted through interlibrary loan. Unless specifically forbidden by the lending library, copying by the borrowing library is permitted if it is in accordance with copyright law and no damage to the original volume will result.
- The borrowing library must ensure a borrowed item is returned on or before the due date. If a renewal is permitted the request should be made in time to reach the lending library prior to the due date.
- All material on loan is subject to immediate recall, and the borrowing library should comply promptly.
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