Interlibrary Loan Policy

Interlibrary loan is the process by which a library requests material from, or supplies material to, another library. The purpose of interlibrary loan is to provide patron access to materials not owned by the Library.

The Lawrence W. Tyree Library participates in a network of local, state, and national libraries that borrow and loan materials. This service is provided free to currently enrolled students, faculty, retirees, and staff. Some libraries, however, assess additional charges. Patrons will be notified of additional charges before an item is borrowed. Such charges must be paid by check made out to the lending library and given to the Circulation Desk when the item is checked out. Patrons will also be responsible for any charges required by the lending library for damage to or loss of items. A patron’s library privileges will be suspended for nonpayment of charges. The student’s records will be flagged until the fees are paid.

The conditions of these services are based on the latest editions of the American Library Association Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States; the Florida Interlibrary Loan Code; the Copyright Law, Title 17, U.S. Code; and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Title IV.

Borrowing Guidelines

To request interlibrary loan materials, the library user must fill out the online interlibrary loan form, recording all information necessary for locating the material to be borrowed or photocopied.

Interlibrary loan requests are processed as quickly as possible. The time needed to obtain an item is dependent upon the difficulty of locating a lending library, the proximity of the lending library and the number of requests to be processed. Many libraries will not fill requests for the following materials:

• Reference books
• Rare and other non-circulating books
• Entire issues of journals (specific articles may be requested)
• Audiovisual materials
• Textbooks
• Computer software
• Bulky or fragile materials that are difficult to ship

Requestors will be notified by phone or email when the requested item arrives at the Library. Due dates and renewals are determined by the lending library. Photocopies of periodical articles become the property of the requester and do not need to be checked out. All returnable items will be placed at the Circulation Desk for pickup. Articles will be sent to patrons via email as an attachment and/or via U.S. mail.

Lending Guidelines

The Lawrence W. Tyree Library will honor electronic interlibrary loan requests with complete citations received from other libraries through the following methods:

• OCLC online request
• Aleph system wide request
• Email
• Facsimile
• Submission form on website

The following materials generally are not available for lending, but all requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis:

• Audiovisual (videos, CDs, audiobooks, etc.)
• Periodicals (photocopies are provided)
• Materials in high demand

Requests will be responded to promptly. Interlibrary loan materials loaned to Florida libraries covered by the Distance Learning Library Initiative (DLLI) will be packaged in DLLI bags for courier delivery. Items loaned to all other libraries will be sent library rate via U.S. mail. Photocopies may be sent by DLLI courier, via email, facsimile, or by first class mail; electronic delivery is preferred for quicker turnaround.

The loan period for books is one month. If other material types are loaned, the loan period will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Demand and the borrowing library’s use of the item will be considered. Renewals are granted if the item is not in demand. Items in demand may be recalled at any time. Photocopies become the property of the requester and are non-returnable.

No handling charges or fees will be assessed for any interlibrary loan request. If Tyree Library staff determine an item will need to be replaced because it has been lost or damaged, an invoice will be sent to the borrowing library.