Middlesex County College - Interlibrary Loan Service

Contents:

What is Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary loan (ILL) provides access to materials not owned by MCC Library. If you need a resource that we do not have, in most cases we can borrow or obtain it for you from another library. In turn, MCC Library lends its own resources where they are needed.

Who can use MCC Interlibrary Loan services?

All MCC students, faculty, and staff may submit ILL requests. Students must have a student ID validated for the current semester.

What can I get through ILL?

Requests for all types of items are accepted, with the exception of textbooks used for the current curriculum. Be aware that certain types of materials can be very difficult to obtain. You are advised to consult with a librarian before requesting the following:

Reference works (encyclopedias, dictionaries) - Libraries do not lend materials they classify as reference. In some cases, we can find a library that has a circulating (non-reference) copy of a work (typically a specialized encyclopedia.)
New publications or bestsellers - Many libraries do not lend works published within the last year, and those that do typically have waiting lists for current bestsellers.
Audio/Visual Materials - A limited number of libraries lend A/V materials (DVDs, videocassettes, audiocassettes, etc.) Requests can usually be fulfilled, but may take longer than usual.
Dissertations or Theses - These are usually found only in the library of the school for which they were written. Some libraries will lend them, but they may be in microfilm or fiche format, and a fee may be required. Copies of dissertations can also be purchased; a librarian can arrange this option if you wish.

How do I request an Interlibrary Loan?

You may submit requests through our online forms for books and articles. Requests for articles that are not full-text in our databases may be submitted from the database itself. Forms are also available at the Reference Desk and may be submitted there.

You may also fill out the appropriate forms and e-mail them to the

Interlibrary Loan Dept. as an attachment.

ILL Book Form(.pdf) ILL Book Form(word)

ILL Journal Form(pdf) ILL Journal Form(word)

How long before I receive the item I requested?

Items sent by mail or courier generally take one to two weeks to arrive. Articles are often sent electronically, and may be received within two or three days. Delivery may take longer during holiday periods. There is no guarantee of delivery within a particular time. ILL services best serve students who get an early start on their research.

How long may I keep the item?

Loan periods are set by the lending library, and typically range from two to four weeks. Renewal policies are also decided by the lending library; many institutions do not grant renewals. Please request renewals in advance of the due date by calling 732-906-3264, or send an e-mail to library_ill@middlesexcc.edu. We will let you know shortly if your request has been granted.

All borrowing privileges may be suspended if ILL materials are overdue. Any items that are not returned will be reported to Student Activities and a campus-wide hold will be placed on the student's account until the item is returned or otherwise resolved.

All photocopies of articles and documents are given to the student or faculty member to keep.

Does requesting an ILL cost anything?

Most items can be obtained from libraries that do not charge fees. There are, on occasions, rare items that no free lending institution can provide. Your request should indicate the maximum fee (if any) you are willing to pay. If a fee will be necessary (usually between $10 and $15), you will be contacted to confirm that you wish to pay. The fee will be collected when you pick up the item. In some cases, copyright fees may be required for articles; you will be notified of such charges in advance and asked if you wish to pay.

How many items may I request at one time?

You may submit as many requests as you need; however, we can only guarantee that five per day will be processed. You may wish to indicate which requests are of highest priority.

Copyright Restrictions

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or reproduction. One specified condition 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 for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

Questions

If you have a question about an interlibrary loan services not covered here, please consult a reference librarian at MCC, or e-mail the Interlibrary Loan department at library_ill@middlesexcc.edu.

Middlesex County College - Interlibrary Loan Service

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