Regional Interlibrary Loan Policy FAQ

NMRLS Interlibrary Loan Policies
Policy updates approved by the NMRLS Executive Board, October, 2006.

 

 

 

1.  Why are there changes in the NMRLS ILL services?
We are compelled to set limits and recover some costs on interlibrary loans processed at NMRLS ILL Centers (Memorial Hall Library, Andover and NOBLE) in order to reduce expenses due to recent severe budget cuts.

 

2.  How will these changes save money?
Long-term costs will be reduced by charging for requests from out-of-state libraries, the elimination of some of the more labor-intensive loan requests, and by shifting some of the responsibility for mediated ILL from the region to the borrowing library.

 

3.  Will the interlibrary loan centers at Memorial Hall Library and NOBLE still request books from other Massachusetts automated networks and interlibrary loan centers?
Yes. This service is unchanged.

 

4.  May my library make direct requests to another library within Massachusetts or outside of Massachusetts?
Yes, libraries are free to conduct their interlibrary loan activity in the manner they deem most efficient. The ILL Centers strive to work with our member libraries in this regard. But, any library may make direct requests to any other library.

 

5.  How will my library obtain magazine and journal articles?
All requests for articles will be made directly by libraries to the Boston Public Library's ILLiad service (illiad.bpl.org).

 

6.  What if I login to ILLiad and I do not know the password?
Call the Boston Public Library ILL Office at 1-800-422-4065 x2343.

 

7.  Are there limits to the amounts of items that can be borrowed by a patron or a library?
No.

 

8.  How does my library return items?
Member libraries may return borrowed items to your NMRLS ILL Center at no charge.  Libraries are always encouraged to return items directly to the lending library.

 

9.  Are there any limits on the ILL Centers borrowing videos and DVDs?
Yes. The ILL Centers will not borrow feature films on video-cassette or DVD.  But, the ILL Centers will borrow instructional and training videos/DVDs from lenders in Massachusetts and nationally.  In the spirit of the NMRLS ILL Best Practices, the ILL Centers will only borrow videos/DVDs for libraries that practice reciprocity and lend videos/DVDs to other libraries.

 

10.  Are there any other limits on materials?
Yes. ILL Centers will borrow best sellers only from MVLC or NOBLE.  Sound recordings will be directed only to Massachusetts libraries that are members of automated networks.

 

11.  What if there is a fee for borrowing from the lending library?
The ILL Centers will process all loans for which a fee is charged by the lending library.  The costs will be absorbed by the ILL Centers.

 

12.  Which NMRLS ILL Center do I use?
The ILL Center you should use is based on the town your library is located in.  To determine your ILL Center, please consult the website for NMRLS Regional ILL (www.nmrls.org/ill/regions).

 

Quick-Glance Chart

Material polices for the NMRLS ILL Centers

 

ILL Centers will borrow

 

ILL Centers will NOT borrow

 

Best sellers:

from MVLC & NOBLE libraries

Best sellers from outside of the Northeast Region.

Sound Recordings (CDs, etc.):

from any Massachusetts automated network member

Recorded music (CD or DVD) outside of Massachusetts.

Training / Instructional videos/DVDs:

from any source, if requesting library has a reciprocal video/DVD policy

Feature films (video or DVD) or non-instructional television programs.

Also Note

·        There are no limits to the amounts of items that can be borrowed by a patron or a library.

·        The ILL Centers will process all loans for which a fee is charged by the lending library.  The costs will be absorbed by the ILL Centers.

·        If the borrowing library uses the ILL Centers to return items, the ILL Centers will pay any shipping charges to return the item.

 

 

 

To return to the NMRLS homepage, click here.

To return to the NMRLS ILL website, click here.

To go to the NMRLS ILL Center websites, click here.