Interlibrary Loan
If the item you are looking for is not listed in the SAILS catalog we may be able to borrow the item for you from another library system via interlibrary loan.
There are several ways to request an item through interlibrary loan:
- Stop in at the Library and ask a member of the staff for assistance.
- Search the Virtual Catalog
- If the item you are looking for is not listed in the Virtual Catalog, please contact a member of the staff for assistance.
Frequently Asked Question about Interlibrary Loan
WHAT IS INTERLIBRARY LOAN?
An interlibrary loan is a transaction in which library materials are made available by one library to another upon request. The purpose of interlibrary loan is to obtain library material not available in the Russell Memorial Library or SAILS. The Library provides interlibrary loan service in order to enhance and extend the resources available to its users. Because the Library cannot purchase or subscribe to every useful resource, Interlibrary Loan is an essential part of its mission to meet the informational needs of the community.
WHAT IS THE VIRTUAL CATALOG?
The Virtual Catalog searches through many individual Massachusetts library catalogs for a book, CD, audio or video and then informs you who owns it and whether it is on the shelf. The Virtual Catalog will search the following library catalogs:
- Bridgewater State College
- CLAMS, Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing
- C/W MARS, Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing
- Fenway Libraries Online
- Minuteman Library Network
- MBLN, Metro Boston Library Network (including the Boston Public Library)
- MVLC, Merrimack Valley Library Consortium
- NOBLE, North of Boston Library Exchange
- OCLN, Old Colony Library Network
- SAILS
- University of Massachusetts, Boston
- University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
- University of Massachusetts, Lowell
- Westfield State College
WHO CAN USE ILL?
Interlibrary loan is offered to all registered borrowers in good standing of the Russell Memorial Library or SAILS.
WHAT SORT OF MATERIALS CAN I GET THROUGH INTERLIBRARY LOAN?
Material which may be borrowed:
A loan or a copy of any material may be requested from another library, but the lending library will decide in each case whether or not a particular item can be provided.
Most libraries will not ordinarily lend the following types of materials:
Newly published material
Old, rare or valuable material
Reference and genealogical material
Audio and videocassettes, sound recordings, and motion picture films
Entire issues of periodicals
Material in high demand at the lending library; curriculum material, including textbooks
Scripts, screen plays, libretti, and scores
Multi-volume sets
Materials which will not be borrowed:
Material owned by the Russell Memorial Library or SAILS and temporarily in use
Titles on the New York Times or Publisher’s Weekly bestseller lists
Multiple copies of a title for class or other group use
Inexpensive paperbacks in print
Titles not yet published
WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO MAKE A REQUEST?
To request a book you will need the author, title and if possible, the year of publication. Subject requests are also accepted.
To request a periodical article you will need the title of the journal, date, page numbers, author and title of the article. The source of the information must also be included (index, bibliography, etc.)
A “need by” date should be indicated, if applicable, and whether a non-circulating copy of the requested materials is acceptable if no circulating copy can be borrowed.
To avoid delays, fill out the forms as completely as possible. Please do not use abbreviations. If you don’t have all of the information, we will still try to fill your request, but may not be successful.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECEIVE AN INTERLIBRARY LOAN ITEM?
It can take two or three weeks to receive an item from a Massachusetts library, or if we have to go out of state, it can take longer to complete the process.
DO YOU CHARGE A FEE FOR INTERLIBRARY LOAN?
No, there is no fee for placing an Interlibrary loan request. However, some loaning libraries may charge a fee to lend their materials.
WILL I BE NOTIFIED WHEN MY INTERLIBRARY LOAN MATERIALS ARRIVE AT THE LIBRARY?
Patrons are notified by telephone when the material arrives. Items are kept at the Circulation Desk for one week.
HOW LONG CAN I KEEP INTERLIBRARY LOAN MATERIALS?
Typically, books are available for 2-5 weeks, at the discretion of the loaning library. The loaning library may impose restrictions, such as “in library use” or “no renewals”. If you need additional time to use the material, please contact the Library as soon as possible. The loaning library grants permission for renewals, not the Russell Memorial Library staff. Renewals must be requested before the due date. We cannot request renewals for items that are already overdue.
Please make every effort to return the items by the specified due date. Interlibrary loan service will be suspended for those who abuse the privilege, including those who repeatedly fail to pick up requested interlibrary loan material or who fail to return materials in a timely fashion.
WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR A LOST OR DAMAGED ITEM?
Payment must be made for materials lost or damaged while charged out to the borrower. No refunds will be made for lost and paid interlibrary loan materials that are subsequently found.