Tuscarawas County Public Library
New Philadelphia OH
Interlibrary Loan Policy
I. Obtaining Materials:
An honest effort will be made to obtain materials that are not available within the MOACS (through 2000) or SEO (beginning 2001) system. Requests will be taken for items of all formats, including books, audio materials, videos, microfilm, magazine/journal articles and other. No request can be guaranteed; patrons will be notified if, for some reason, their requests cannot be filled. The delivery date of Interlibrary Loan items cannot be guaranteed. Processing and delivery times vary and cannot be anticipated for individual requests. Patrons wishing to request Interlibrary Loan items must have a library card that is in good standing. No requests will be accepted without a library card.
II. Receiving Items/Canceling Requests:
When Interlibrary Loan items are received and processed, patrons will be notified immediately by phone or mail. Interlibrary Loan items will be held until the due date posted on them. Items that are not picked up by the due date will be returned to the lending library, and the $1.15 postage fee will be attached to the patron's library card record. Patrons are encouraged to call the Interlibrary Loan staff member at the library if, for some reason, there are unable to pick up Interlibrary Loan items or magazine/journal articles within the specified time limit.
III. Fees:
The fee for Interlibrary Loan requests is $1.15 per item received. The fee is for postage/shipping costs and reflects the average cost of shipping Interlibrary Loan items. The fee will be collected when the item is picked up by the patron. Patrons should be made aware of the fee when requests are made, but payment will not be accepted until the item has arrived. Magazine/journal article requests are not subject to the $1.15 postage/shipping fee. Patrons requesting magazine/journal articles are to be asked what amount they will be willing to pay for the article(s). Some lending libraries charge for the photocopying of articles, and only this charge will be passed on to the patron.
IV. Check–Out Period:
Interlibrary Loan items may be checked out for the period specified by the lending library or for a maximum of four weeks from the date they arrive at the Tuscarawas County Public Library, whichever is shorter. Each lending library has its own Interlibrary Loan policy, and it is our intent to honor the policies of those libraries that are willing to share their materials with us. We cannot guarantee the length of the check–out period for any Interlibrary Loan request.
V. Renewal:
An effort will be made to renew Interlibrary Loan items as requested by patrons. The possibility of renewal cannot be guaranteed as the lending library may refuse to renew items. Patrons who wish to renew Interlibrary Loan items are encouraged to call the Interlibrary loan staff member at the Tuscarawas County Public Library at least three days before items are due. Items will be renewed for a period of two weeks if the lending library agrees. Patrons should be aware that Interlibrary Loan items are checked out separately from MOACS/SEO system and will not be renewed with such items.
VI. Returning Interlibrary Loan Items:
Patrons are encouraged to return Interlibrary Loan items to the Reference Desk. If this is not convenient, items may be returned in the outside book drop.
VII. Overdue Interlibrary Loan Items:
It is important that Interlibrary Loan items be returned on time. Fines for overdue Interlibrary Loan items are fifty cents per day per item, and continue to accumulate until items are returned. Patrons are encouraged to pay any overdue fees to the Reference staff when they return items. Otherwise, fines will be attached to the patron's library card record. Patrons are responsible for the replacement costs of any Interlibrary Loan items that are lost or damaged.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees
July 19, 1999
