Borrowing from Other Libraries: Interlibrary Loans

• Interlibrary Loan Request Form
• What is an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) ?
• Who may use Interlibrary Loan?
• What materials are available through Interlibrary Loan?
• How long does it take to receive material?
• How many items?
• How much will it cost?
• How long may I keep my ILL?
• How will I know it is here?

What is an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) ?
Libraries cooperate to advance scholarship and learning by lending books and other library materials to each other. Interlibrary Loans are intended to give access to materials that the local library does not own. As such, it is not to be used as a substitute for materials already in the collection. The Ron E. Lewis Library offers this service as a supplement to the library's collection.

Be sure to check our catalog first to see if an item is either here or in the Lamar University library before requesting an Interlibrary Loan. You may request a transfer of a Lamar University item from within our catalog. To learn about book transfers please read Place a Hold/Request a book from Lamar University.

Interlibrary Loan service is a privilege, not a right. When requests are sent there are no guarantees that the material will be loaned. Every effort should be made to use this library's resources first before requesting material from other libraries. ILL materials may be picked up and returned at the check-out desk during regular library hours.

Interlibrary Loan Request Form
Interlibrary Loan requests can be placed electronically with a minimal amount of information. Completing the Interlibrary Loan Request Form allows the Ron E. Lewis Library to locate and request the information you need, whether you are attending classes on campus or off. Completed forms will be processed as they are received. Incomplete forms will cause delays as the librarian attempts to contact the patron for additional information.

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Who may use Interlibrary Loan?
ILL service may be used by LSC-O students, faculty, staff and alumni with current ID cards.

What materials are available through ILL?
Lending libraries determine what materials they will lend. Types of materials that are usually obtained through Interlibrary Loan include books and documents such as reports and photocopies of journal articles. Dissertations and some materials reproduced in micro format, such as newspapers, may be borrowed at the discretion of the lending institution.

Materials normally not available through Interlibrary Loan include, but are not limited to, materials checked out or on reserve, materials in special collections (usually rare or fragile books), items currently owned by this library, journal volumes, recent newspapers, reference materials, audio/visual materials, films, records and CDs.

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How long does it take to receive material?
We strive to process the ILL request within the same day it is received. The length of time for requested material to arrive depends on several factors, such as completeness and legibility of forms, response time of the lending library and transit time. On average a minimum of six to eight working days is needed to process and receive each request. Always plan ahead when scheduling research and requesting materials from an Interlibrary Loan.

How many items?
Patrons are limited to 20 outstanding ILL requests at one time. In addition, only five requests per patron per day, up to the limit of 20, will be processed.

How much will it cost?
Many libraries in the state and region have ILL borrowing agreements, and there are no fees or photocopy charges. Charges from other libraries might include the cost of postage up to $20. Every effort is made to locate the lending libraries that do not charge fees.

Payment of charges is the responsibility of the patron using the ILL service and is expected when material is received. The librarian makes every effort to process the request in a timely manner but charges on material received after the patron's deadline date are still the responsibility of the patron. Nonpayment of ILL charges may result in the suspension of library borrowing privileges.

How long may I keep my ILL?
Loan periods for books are set by the lending libraries. Any other restrictions are also set by the lending library and not Ron E. Lewis Library and will be strictly enforced. Books are not normally renewed but if a renewal is needed, the patron should contact the ILL library staff person at (409) 882-3081 at least four days ahead of the due date. Renewals are at the discretion of the lending library. Photocopies of magazine or journal articles need not be returned.

How will I know my ILL is here?
When the material arrives, the patron will be notified by telephone, e-mail or a written letter. Material may be picked up at the check-out desk on the first floor of the library. The time the material sits in the library is part of the loan period, so it is to the patron's advantage to pick up the material promptly upon notification.

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