Wisconsin Interlibrary Loan Guidelines
These interlibrary loan guidelines reflect the expectations of library staff and patrons participating interlibrary loan within Wisconsin. These guidelines outline best practices in interlibrary loan statewide. Following the guidelines will best serve library users while making the statewide interlibrary loan system manageable for library staff. It is understood that consortia and libraries in shared automated systems will develop their own interlibrary loan policies.
General Principles
Interlibrary loan is an adjunct to, not a substitute for, adequate collection development in local libraries. The statewide interlibrary loan system is used to provide access to materials beyond the scope of the borrowing library's collection and not readily available locally or via shared integrated systems or through consortia.
Any type of library may initiate an interlibrary loan request providing it is also willing to share its resources.
Geographic location must not be a barrier to participation in the statewide interlibrary loan system.
Public libraries are gateways to the interlibrary loan system for users who are not served by another type of library or who need an access point for a particular type of information.
Every library provides staff and/or instructions that help users place requests and determine the best strategy for having their requests filled.
The costs for providing interlibrary loan services are shared at the state, regional, and local levels.
Library administration considers interlibrary loan to be a basic service and budgets funds for provision of that service.
Libraries that participate in the state's union catalog regularly update their holdings information.
User Expectations
Library users are informed about interlibrary loan services.
Library users are able to place interlibrary loan requests at access points that are convenient for them.
Library users expect that library staff will make a reasonable effort to obtain needed information and materials.
Library users expect that library staff will keep interlibrary loan requests confidential.
Public library users receive interlibrary loan services at no direct cost to the user.
Library users place interlibrary loan requests directly through the automated statewide ILL system.
Lending and Borrowing
Libraries are encouraged to lend as freely as possible. It is recognized that some materials will not be loaned, but the desired outcome is to have liberal lending policies among participating libraries. Alternatives to lending can be considered (see the best practices section of this document).
A library will only request formats that it is willing to lend.
Library staff follows statewide interlibrary loan guidelines and use appropriate mechanisms for balancing borrowing and lending among libraries.
Library staff applies copyright rules and fair use guidelines consistently.
The borrowing library will limit mediated or unmediated requests in the following situations:
- materials on best seller lists or high demand titles in all formats (e.g., new media),
- materials which are owned, but in use at the borrowing library,
- materials which are owned, but in use within the borrowing library's shared automated system or consortium,
- materials which are on order at the borrowing library,
- materials which are on order within the borrowing library's shared automation system or consortium, and
- prepublication titles.
Borrowing multiple copies of titles for group use (e.g. book discussion groups) is an exception to the general guidelines of not borrowing what is owned by the library. To help determine if an item is in high demand, see the best practices section of this document.
The lending library will place a hold on a requested item only when specifically requested. This helps ensure a request can be filled in a timely manner.
The lending library will consider delivery time of materials when setting due dates. Users will be allowed to use materials borrowed through interlibrary loan for at least one week.
The borrowing library can make requests for renewals, and the lending library will provide a timely response to the request.
The lending library acts on ILL requests as soon as possible, with the majority of requests acted upon within two working days.
The borrowing library is responsible for borrowed materials from the time it leaves the lending library until it has been returned to and been received by the lending library. This includes all materials directly shipped to and/or by the user. If damage or loss occurs, the borrowing library is responsible for compensation or replacement.
The lending library (not the borrowing library) will determine delivery method. Borrowing libraries will submit requests that do not limit by delivery mode, recognizing that it will be delivered and returned according to the policy of the lending library.
The borrowing library abides by the specific policies of lending libraries, such as costs, special handling, and delivery mode.
The Wisconsin interlibrary loan guidelines are based on accepted national practice but reflect local needs and practices. Library staff will use the Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States when borrowing outside the state. This code is included in this document. The most current version of the code can be found at: http://www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/interlibrary.htm
Return to ILL Guidelines Index
For questions about this information, contact Terry L. Wilcox (608) 224-6163
Last updated on 2/25/2008 12:27:34 PM
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