Interlibrary Loan Services
Interlibrary Loan Code for Nebraska
Introduction:
This code is a voluntary agreement adopted by the Nebraska
Library Association on October 25, 1990, to govern lending in
Nebraska. It is intended to address general policies rather than
specific procedures, given the changing nature of technologies and
techniques. The code is further intended as a complement, not an
impediment, to other resource sharing agreements.
Interlibrary loan is recognized as a basic library service for all ages
and interests, and should be publicized as such to all members of
the library's clientele. Lending between libraries is not sanctioned
as a substitute for local collection development, however, except
where cooperative collection agreements are in place.
Any library that is able to complete its borrowing request with full
bibliographic information and verification, and can locate potential
lenders is unrestricted by this code in forwarding that request to the
potential lender(s) of its choice. Libraries that further request
policy exceptions or special handling, such as telefacsimile delivery,
may do so as needed by their users. Libraries are encouraged to be
as generous as possible in accommodating special requests.
Finally, this code holds that interlibrary loan is: 1) in the public
interest, and 2) dependent for its success on the mutual cooperation
of those involved. Under the terms of this agreement, therefore,
libraries should lend as well as borrow materials, with due regard to
the difficulty of identifying potential lenders.
I. Definition
An interlibrary loan is a transaction in which library material, or a
copy of the material, is made available by one library to another
upon request. The phrase "library materials" is understood to
include all formats.
II. Purpose
The purpose of the interlibrary loan as defined in this code is to
obtain library material not available in the local library.
III. Scope
Under the terms of this agreement, it is permissible to request on
interlibrary loan any type of library material which the lending
library is willing and able to lend.
IV. Responsibilities of Borrowing Libraries
A. Each library should provide the resources to meet the ordinary
needs and interests of its primary clientele. Material requested from
another library under this code should generally be limited to those
items that do not conform to the library's collection development
policy or for which there is no recurring demand. Borrowing
libraries are encouraged to review requests on a regular basis to
determine future collection requirements.
B. Borrowing libraries should make every effort to exhaust their
own resources before pursuing interlibrary loans.
C. The interlibrary loan staff of each library should be familiar with,
and use, relevant manuals and reference sources. Any library
without access to the major bibliographic location verification, and
procedure tools may request assistance from their resource library
or the Nebraska Library Commission.
D. Standard interlibrary loan forms/formats should be used for all
requests, regardless of the means of transmission. Requests may be
transmitted via electronic or traditional mail, telefacsimile,
telephone, or any other means acceptable to the potential lender(s).
E. Each library should inform its users of the purpose of the
interlibrary loan and of the library's interlibrary loan borrowing
policy. Any member of the borrowing library's clientele should be
eligible for interlibrary loan.
F. The borrowing library is responsible for compliance with the
copyright law (Title 17, U.S. CODE) and its accompanying
guidelines, and should inform its users of the applicable portions of
the law. An indication of compliance must be provided with all
photocopying requests.
G. Both the bibliographic citation and location of the requested
material should be described as completely and accurately as possible
following accepted bibliographic practices. If either their citation
or the location cannot be verified, libraries should so indicate in
their request and include information about the original source of
citation. Any library needing assistance with verification, locations
and/or procedures may enlist the aid of their resource library or the
Nebraska Library Commission. If verification is disregarded, or
the bibliographic data are incorrect, and unless special agreement
otherwise provides, the lending library may return the request
unfilled without special effort to identify the reference.
H. Lenders should be chosen equitably so as not to place the undue
demand on a limited number of suppliers. Libraries should attempt
to spread their borrowing requests across a large number of
libraries, with due consideration given to accepted practice or
consortia agreements.
I. The safety of borrowed materials is the responsibility of the
borrowing library from the time the material leaves the lending
library until it arrives back at the lending library. The borrowing
library is responsible of 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 with the
preferences of the lending library.
All requests and shipments shall be conspicuously labeled
"Interlibrary Loan" on the outside of the package. Inside the
package, the loaned material itself must be clearly identified. Such
information should include the names of the borrowing and lending
libraries, the ILL control number or any other identifying number
appearing on the original request, and the due date.
J. The borrowing library and its users must comply with the
conditions of loan established by the lending library. Unless
specifically forbidden by the lending library, copying by the
borrowing library is permitted provided that is in accordance with
the copyright law and no damage to the original material would
result.
K. The borrowing library should encourage library users to travel
to other libraries for on-site access to material when extensive use
of a collection is required or when the nature of the material makes
lending inadvisable. The borrowing library should assist the user in
making the necessary arrangement.
V. Responsibilities of Lending Libraries
A. The decision to loan material, or to accommodate policy
exceptions and special handling, is at the discretion of the lending
library. Each library is encouraged, however, to interpret as
generously as possible its own lending policy with due
consideration to the interests of its primary clientele.
B. Lending libraries are encouraged to establish uniform policies
regarding issues such as charges, page limits and renewals that
conform to generally accepted practice or consortia agreements.
C. Each Nebraska library should formulate an ILL policy
statement. This statement should be available at the library upon
request and a copy should be forwarded to the Nebraska Library
Commission. The Nebraska Library Commission will maintain a file
of all interlibrary loan policy statements which become available to
the Commission from libraries outside the state, as well as from
Nebraska libraries. In addition, the Commission will produce an
interlibrary loan directory of Nebraska.
D. The lending library should process requests promptly, and
notify borrowers as soon as possible if unable to supply the
material. Conditions of loan should be stated clearly and material
should be packaged carefully. The lending library should notify the
borrowing library when unable to fill a request. Stating the reason
for not filling the request is optional unless:
1. The borrower has not indicated copyright compliance;
2. The item cannot be located as cited; or
3. The borrower must meet certain conditions for the loan.
E. All requests and shipments shall be conspicuously labeled
"Interlibrary Loan" on the outside of the package. Inside the
packaging, the loaned material itself must be clearly identified.
Such information should include the names of the borrowing and
lending libraries, the ILL control number or any other identifying
number appearing on the original request, and the due date.
F. Before restricting borrowing privileges to a library, the lending
library is responsible for informing the borrowing library of the
reason for the restriction or suspension.
VI. Expenses
A. The borrowing library should be prepared to assume any costs
charged by the lending library and should attempt to anticipate
charges and authorize maximum cost on the initial request.
Libraries are encouraged to offer free or low cost interlibrary loans
whenever possible.
B. If the charges are more than nominal and not authorized by the
borrowing library, the lending library should inform the requesting
library and ask for authorization to proceed.
VII. Duration of the Loan
A. The duration of the loan, unless otherwise specified by the
lending library, is the period of time the item may remain in the
borrowing library disregarding the time spend in transit. The loan
period shall be clearly indicated on the interlibrary loan form and on
the library material. Borrowing libraries should encourage their
users to use material within the time period allowed.
B. Interlibrary loan material should be returned promptly.
C. A renewal request should be sent in time to reach the lending
library not later than the due date. If the lending library does not
respond, it will be assumed that the renewal, for the same period as
the original loan, is granted. Lending libraries are responsible for
informing borrowers at the time of the request is filled if an item
cannot be renewed. Borrowing libraries should in turn inform their
users of renewal restrictions.
D. All material on loan is subject to recall, and the borrowing
library should comply.
VII. Violation of the Code
Each library is responsible for maintaining the provisions of this
code in good faith.