InterLibrary Loan Service Guidelines

Who is eligible to use this service (known as ILL)?
Current Goucher students, faculty and staff only.

Are users charged for this service?
No.

What is the usual wait for an interloaned item to arrive at Goucher?
On average, from the day a request is made, it will be seven to ten days before that item is ready for pickup at the library’s Circulation Desk.   However, article photocopies occasionally arrive within two days – if the lending institution chooses to transmit them electronically.

By what means is notification of an item's arrival given?
An e-mail message is sent to the requestor's Goucher e-mail address.  Additionally, the Circulation Desk can be contacted (410-337-6360) to check the ILL shelf for arrivals.

How many requests may be made at one time?
It is preferable to ask for no more than five items the same day, 10 in the same week, 25 requests per semester.These are maximums for upperclass students and faculty. First- and second-year students may be asked to justify their need should they approach these limits.

Who should be contacted to discuss borrowing needs?
Muriel Jones, 410-337-3289 Ext. 2  or  Thomasin LaMay, 410-337-6031

For how long a period is an item typically interloaned?
The initial due date is set by the lending institution. By the time an item arrives here, usually there are two to three weeks remaining until it should be returned to our library’s Circulation Desk. That due date is recorded on the paper strap attached to the item.

Can the loan period be extended?
Yes, but not always. It is the lending institution's decision whether to grant further time. Renewal requests are most likely to be approved if made during the week BEFORE the initial due date. E-mail Muriel Jones,  or  Thomasin LaMay, if a renewal is desired, providing the title of the item(s) and the ILL number recorded on its strap.

Do these loan rules apply to photocopies received through interloan?
No. Photocopies need not be returned.

Are interloaned items subject to U.S. copyright laws?
Yes. Copyright details are included as part of Goucher's interlibrary loan forms.

Which items are less likely to be interloaned--but may be?
Very old or very new items. Electronic media. Microfilm reels. Requests for more than 20 photocopied pages.   Items, like dissertations, apt to be held by only a single institution or two. AND items incorrectly cited. Filling out the ILL form completely (avoiding abbreviations) and noting the source of the citation can minimize ILL delays or refusals.

Where can one learn about which ILL form to use for each type of item?
On our ILL Service home page