Interlibrary Loan Services

The Kresge Memorial Library makes extensive use of electronic interlibrary loan (ILL) services through its membership in OCLC, the world’s largest bibliographic network. The OCLC master catalog contains over 60 million items held in more than 18,000 libraries worldwide. Any user may request books, selected audio-visual materials, and photocopied periodical articles from other libraries via OCLC by contacting the Kresge Memorial Library staff.

While many requests are filled promptly, the Library suggests that the user allow at least 2 weeks turnaround time for ILL transactions. Timely access to requested materials is not guaranteed. The Kresge Memorial Library staff cannot control the activity or lending efficiency of any lending institution.

Here are some FAQs about interlibrary loan services:

1. Who is eligible to use interlibrary loan services?

• All Library users except those classified as “Community Users”

2. How are interlibrary loan requests processed?

• Interlibrary loan requests are always processed by Library staff, never by the individual user
• Users may initiate requests to the staff electronically from the Library’s web form at http://scots.covenant.edu/library/eresources/request/ or from within selected online databases

3. How many items may a user request via interlibrary loan?

• 5 items each week, with a maximum 50 items each semester (Covenant Faculty may request an unlimited number)

4. What costs are associated with interlibrary loan services?

• For all eligible users except Covenant Extended Family, costs to process and ship the interlibrary loan transaction are covered by the Library
• Covenant Extended Family users must pay $2.00/transaction request before the request is processed and all postage fees upon delivery of the item
• If the lending library charges a fee to use the item, the Library will subsidize the cost up to $5.00/item with a maximum of $20.00/semester (Covenant Extended Family excluded)
• Costs assessed by the lending library above $5.00 are the responsibility of the user – a maximum limit should be indicated on the interlibrary loan request form
• All fees are due prior to the user receiving the item
• Covenant Extended Family users are responsible for all costs assessed by the lending library

5. How long may a user keep an interlibrary loan item?

• The circulation period varies because it is set by the lending library, not the Kresge Memorial Library
• The due date of an interlibrary loan item is the drop-dead date – no grace period
• Any overdue interlibrary loan item will result in having the user’s borrowing privileges suspended in the Kresge Memorial Library
• Overdue interlibrary loan items also incur a fine of $5.00/day for each item
• Failure to return materials and/or pay outstanding fines will result in a hold being placed on the user’s Banner account

6. What happens if a user loses or damages an interlibrary loan item?

• The user is liable for any costs determined by the lending library
• Kresge Memorial Library staff will notify the user of actual charges via email
• Failure to pay fees within 7 days will result in the suspension of borrowing privileges, interlibrary loan services, and a hold on the user’s Banner account

The Library also uses document delivery software to send and receive documents (mostly periodical articles) electronically.

Please contact Mr. Tom Horner (706.419.1438 or horner@covenant.edu) for additional information concerning Interlibrary Loan services.