Missouri State University Libraries

Interlibrary Loan
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Interlibrary Loan Service?

Interlibrary Loan service makes it possible for Missouri State faculty, staff and students to obtain materials not available from Missouri State University or MOBIUS by borrowing them from other institutions. For distance learners, ILL also provides access to journals and magazines located inthe Duane G. Meyer Library. Conditions governing the borrowing and lending of materials from one library to another are set by the National Interlibrary Loan Code of the American Library Association and by specific regulations of the participating lending libraries.

Is There Any Cost For This Service?

There is a fee for undergraduates of $2.00 for each request. There is no charge for faculty, staff, graduate students, and honors students. There is no charge for requests for materials that are listed as part of Missouri State University library holdings but are determined by the Missouri State library staff to be lost, at the bindery, or being mended.

What Materials May Be Requested?

Requests can be submitted for books, periodical articles, dissertations, and other kinds of research materials that are not part of the library holdings. Before submitting requests, patrons should check the computer and card catalogs and periodical holdings to determine whether the material is available from the Missouri State University libraries. Reference staff will be happy to assist in this search.

Submitting Requests

Patrons are to fill out their own forms. Requests must be submitted using these online forms: Books, Periodicals, and Dissertations. The personnel at the Reference and Government Information Desk can answer questions about filling out the forms. In order to insure accuracy in processing requests exactly as patrons intend, telephone requests are not accepted.

Are There Any Limitations?

It usually takes from 10 days to 2 weeks to receive materials through interlibrary loan. Hard to locate materials may take considerably longer. Under certain circumstances, requests can be rushed first class or fax which decreases waiting time. A number of factors influence whether or not a request can be filled. Materials that are not usually available from interlibrary loan include:

• Entire volumes/issues of periodicals
• Rare books and manuscripts
• Reference books
• Sound recordings, cassettes, films, and videos
• Materials that are protected by copyright law

Where is Material Picked Up After It Arrives?

Patrons will be notified when their requests are in, and materials are picked up at the Interlibrary Loan Office. In the case of books, the due date and any restrictions for use will appear on the band on the book. Most libraries give at least a 2 week loan period. Interlibrary loan books are returned to the Interlibrary Loan Office. When possible, articles will be delivered electronically and retained by the user.

Renewals may be requested prior to the due date by submitting an online renewal request. Patrons will be notified if renewal is possible and given a new due date. Not all lending institutions allow renewals.

Are There Any Restrictions?

The Meyer ILL office is sometimes restricted by copyright laws and costs imposed for certain requests by the lending library. The lending library can restrict by:

• Refusing to lend materials
• Setting length of loan period
• Refusing to renew
• Withholding permission to photocopy
• Restricting use of materials to "in library use only"

If you have any questions, please call the ILL office at 417-836-4540.