Interlibrary Loan Policy

Definition

What is interlibrary loan? Interlibrary loan is a procedure that allows students, faculty, staff, and research assistants to borrow material owned by other libraries. Requested material may be furnished without cost to the patron. However, some libraries do charge for loans, and additional costs are incurred for the following:

1. Additional fees may be requested by supplying library - $10.00 minimum.
2. Material not picked up by the end of the semester (Patron pays $ 3.00 minimum and additional fees.)

Eligible Borrowers

Who can make an interlibrary loan request? The library staff will accept an interlibrary loan request from any UAM student, faculty, staff member, or research assistant. A valid UAM ID card and completed Interlibrary Loan Form are necessary to request material through interlibrary loan. Those individuals not enrolled as UAM students will be directed to their public library for this service.

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Exceptions:

The following materials might not be available via interlibrary loan:

1. Books published within the last year
2. Theses and dissertations
3. DVDs, CDs, Videocassettes, films, etc.
4. Children's books
5. Contemporary fiction (Contact your local public library)
6. Textbooks

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Procedure:

What information is needed on an interlibrary loan request? In order for you to receive the material, the Interlibrary Loan Form must be filled out as completely as possible. The form can be filled out online by following the above link, or you can ask for a form at the circulation desk. Failure to supply complete information or to print your request clearly will result in a delayed or incomplete request.

You should allow at least two weeks for your request to be filled.

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Copyright Restrictions:

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request form, and later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use", that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve a violation of copyright law.