- Am
I eligible for ILL services?
- What
kinds of materials may I request?
- How
do I submit a request?
- Will
I always get what I ask for?
- How
long will it take?
- How
will I know when the item I requested has arrived?
- How
much does it cost?
- How
long may I keep the material(s)?
Yes, if you are a Montana State University-Billings student,
staff member, or faculty. MSU-Billings Gold Card alumni are also
eligible for 5 interlibrary loans per year.
You may request materials not owned by MSU-Billings or those
materials which are officially unavailable.
May I request items for family and friends?
No. Budgetary constraints prevent MSU-Billings from serving the
needs of patrons not directly affiliated with the university. Check
with a librarian for other options.
When submitting a request, please provide the most complete
citation for the item Use the following login to submit
requests:
http://illiad.msubillings.edu/illiad/em2/logon.html
We make every attempt to obtain the materials you have requested.
However, please be aware that other libraries usually do not lend
out reference materials, audio-visuals, special
collections, rare or fragile materials,
journals (though most will photocopy specified journal
articles) or other non-circulating items.
Obtaining materials from other libraries depends on the
responsiveness and location of the lending library, the availability
of the requested material, and the workload of the ILL department.
During peak times of the semester or during holidays, more time is
needed to fill ILL requests. Requesters should note their time
constraints on the ILL book or article request form box "I cannot
use this item after date."
Since ILL has only partial control over determining factors, it
is difficult to predict how long a request will take. Most requests
can usually be obtained in one to three weeks.
Materials coming from an MSU or OMNI Library usually will be
obtainable in 3-10 days. Materials difficult to locate or
inaccurately or incompletely cited will take longer.
What if I need something immediately?
On those rare occasions when you are unable to plan ahead,
you might want to speak to someone in the ILL department. FAX or
ARIEL transmission, UPS or Federal Express Delivery, or commercial
suppliers may be available for materials needed quickly.
Please be aware that you may be billed for any costs not subsidized
by the MSU-Billings Library.
If you have requested a book, the Library will make every effort
to contact you when the item is available for pickup at the
Circulation Desk. You must present a current valid MSU-Billings
student ID card to check out the book.
If you have requested
an article, in most cases it will be delivered electronically to the
email address you provided. Otherwise, the article will be
placed at the Library's Circulation Desk. If you have questions
about the status of your request, please contact the ILL
Office.
Generally, nothing. The Library subsidizes costs up to $20.00.
However, if the cost of a request exceeds $20.00 the Library may ask
patrons to assist with ILL lending charges.
Costs associated with lending and borrowing between libraries can
include: copyright
fees, mailing, photocopying, rush service
fees, and lending fees. National studies show that on average an
interlibrary loan costs $29.00 per request split between the
borrowing and lending libraries. The MSU-Billings Library pays most
fees associated with borrowing of materials.
The lending library owns and therefore determines the check-out
period and conditions for use of materials. The MSU-Billings Library
and its patrons must following the lending library's guidelines
including:
- Due date
- In library use only, if specified
- Photocopying not allowed, if specified
- Renewal period
- Overdue, damaged or lost materials will be subject to fines or
replacement fees as determined by the lending library
What if I'm not finished with the material?
Because the lending library owns the item, the Circulation staff
cannot renew ILL materials. Please check with the ILL Office to
determine if the item can be renewed. The ILL Office needs 4 days
advance notice in order to renew materials borrowed from other
libraries.
What happens if I do not return the material on time or if I
lose it?
Fines assessed by the lending library for failure to return items
in a timely fashion will be charged to the borrower. The failure to
return ILL materials by the date due may result in a processing fee
and/or suspension of loan privileges. Interlibrary loan activity is
regulated by national, regional and local agreements made by the
participating libraries. The ILL service consists of one library
loaning materials to another for the use of individuals. Materials
may be lent in the original or photocopied form. All other material
must be picked up upon notification. Failure to do so may result in
suspension of ILL privileges.
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