Overview
Interlibrary loan (ILL) allows Spencer County Public Library customers to borrow materials from other libraries. ILL requests are for items the library does not own, and are not within purchasing standards set forth by the library’s collection development policy. Items owned by SCPL that are assumed lost, missing, or long overdue may be considered for ILL.
Borrowing from Other Libraries
Customers 18 years or older, with a valid Spencer County Public Library card and in good standing, may utilize the interlibrary loan service. A Customer account in good standing has been established for at least 3 months, and the Customer has borrowed and returned materials on time and in good condition prior to or during that period. The account is free of any lost items, assumed lost charges, or maximum fines. Lost items and associated charges must be resolved prior to interlibrary loan borrowing.
The library will request items that are more than 9 months old. Customers can request that the library purchase newly published items. E-books, textbooks, entire issues of magazines, and items held outside the U.S. cannot be borrowed through ILL. The lending library determines what materials it will loan. Customers may have no more than 2 ILL requests in process at any given time. Customers should maintain their own list of series titles and request only two at once. SCPL is unable to store or update Customer request lists.
Checkout Periods
The lending library will determine checkout periods. As the delivery time for ILL items is indeterminable, Customers should allow for a minimum of two weeks per request. Once SCPL receives the requested ILL, it will be placed on hold for 7 days. Items not picked up by the Customer within the 7 days will be returned to the lending library.
Renewals
Lending libraries may approve one renewal request per item. Those wishing to renew an ILL should contact the library’s ILL department at (502) 477-8137 ext.115 or email us at scpl@scplky.org, with Attn: ILL in the subject line, at least three days in advance of the due date. Borrowers will be notified if renewal requests are denied.
Associated Charges
SCPL attempts to borrow from libraries that loan free of charge; however, some items may only be available from lenders who charge ILL fees. Customers are responsible for any charges set by the lending library. The library will notify Customers of any charges before the materials are ordered. Any fines or replacement costs for lost or damaged materials set by the lending library are the responsibility of the customer.
Lost or Damaged ILLs
Removal of the library’s ILL labels or lending library paperwork could result in a lost or damaged item charge. The library may deny ILL borrowing privileges to anyone who damages or consistently loses ILLs, or disregards borrowing restrictions imposed by lending libraries.
ILL items not returned after 60 days will be assumed to be lost. Any fines or replacement costs for lost or damaged materials set by the lending library are the responsibility of the customer. Customers will also be responsible for reimbursing any associated fees incurred by SCPL. Any lost charges paid to the lending library by SCPL cannot be negated by returning the item.
SCPL Loans to Other Libraries
SCPL will loan books, free of charge, to other members of the OCLC consortium. Replacement costs may be charged for items that are not returned on time or are damaged. SCPL does not loan internationally.
Loan Periods
Library materials can be checked out from SCPL for 8 weeks, with one renewal. Items found in the library’s Kentucky Room, or on the rare book shelves, are not available for interlibrary loan.
Lost Loans and Associated Charges
Materials not returned to SCPL after 60 days will be assumed lost. The library will invoice borrowing institutions for the cost of any materials lost through interlibrary loan. Institutional borrowing privileges may be revoked if a borrower consistently damages or fails to replace lost material, or if restrictions placed on borrowed items are ignored.