Interlibrary Loan FAQ

• You need an active NMC library card.
• A library card may be obtained with a current driver's license at the library service desk.

What can I order?

• Materials (books, magazine articles, journal articles) the Osterlin Library does not own
• Materials owned by the Osterlin Library but are unavailable e.g., material is lost, or being bound.

How fast and easy is ILL?
The speed at which ILL request can be filled depends on the type of item requested:

• Books usually take 4-10 days
• Articles can take from 1-5 days, depending on the method of delivery

• Videos, audio tapes and reference books are not often loaned
• Entire magazines and popular items such as bestsellers are usually not loaned

How do I order ILL books and articles?

• Use the On-line ILL request form
• Request a form from the library service desk

Does it cost anything to use ILL?

• There is no cost to NMC students, faculty and staff for ILL services.
• Community members pay $2.00 plus any additional charges assessed by the lending library.

How many items may I order?

• You may order up to 5 items at a time
• If you have need of more than 5 items, please prioritize your requests in groups of 5, and the ILL Department will then place your orders.

How can I speed up the process?

• Complete the ILL request form as completely as possible.
• We process all requests in the order in which we receive them.
• Prioritize large groups of requests as suggested above; we will give the first batch first priority.
• For magazine articles, include the ISSN, an 8-digit number (for example, 0027-4860) that uniquely identifies magazine titles. This number is often found in citations in InfoTrac, FirstSearch and other periodical indexes.
• Do not guess at abbreviated magazine titles! If your source does not include the spelled-out title, include only what is shown.
• Include the source of your citation in your request; this will be helpful if we need to do further checking
• Include your e-mail address if you have one.
• Be sure that the item you need is not already available through the Osterlin Library. We may have the material physically on our shelves or via one of our research databases.

How will I be notified when my order comes in?
We will call you. If you include an email address, we will also send you a message.

Where do I get my ordered items?
All items may be picked up will be held at the Service Desk in the Osterlin Library.

How long may I keep ILL items?

• The length of time an item may be kept checked out is determined by the lending library, not by the Osterlin Library. Please honor the date specified in your item. Request needed items as far in advance as you can.
• If you need to renew an item, please request this before the due date. You will be notified if the lending library has refused renewal, so that the item may be returned as soon as possible to them.
• Most articles do not need to be returned; copies are yours to keep.

Are fines charged on overdue ILL items?

• Late return of ILL items jeopardizes our ability to borrow for you in the future.
• If ILL items are lost, you will be liable for the lending library's charge. This may be greater than the charge for lost items at the Osterlin Library.

Are there any restrictions or limitations?
Lending libraries determine conditions regarding the use of their material. Limitations such as "For use in Library only" or "Copying not Permitted" must be honored.