Interlibrary Loan Policy

Recognizing that any library cannot hold every item needed by any individual, the Mount Calm Public Library offers Interlibrary Loan to supplement and enhance its local collection. This is a means by which requests can be made to other libraries and institutions for the loan of books.

This service is extended to all patrons who have a valid library card with no outstanding overdue materials or lost or damaged item charges. The library will request adult and children's books and photocopies of magazine and journal articles. It will not request other media, such as video or audio tapes or CDs or DVDs or software. Most lending libraries will not send new, popular books (those published within the last twelve months), rare or non circulating books, and genealogy materials.

Patrons are limited to no more than three requests at a time.

There is no charge for this service, except when the lending library requests payment of such costs as insurance or photocopying. The requesting patron is responsible for such charges. The patron will also be responsible for payment for any lost or damaged books, including processing fees, based on the amount billed by the lending library.

The time required to fill requests can vary between two and four weeks. The materials are sent to the Mount Calm Public Library on a time limited basis. Materials not picked up five days after patron notification may be returned to the lending institution. Borrowers must return their materials to the Mount Calm Public Library, not to the lending library.

The length of time an interlibrary loan item is loaned to this library is determined by the lending institution and can vary greatly. Some materials will not be renewable. Patrons are responsible for seeing that their materials are returned on time.

Loans to Other Libraries

It is the policy of the Mount Calm Public Library to function whenever possible as a provider of materials in the interlibrary loan systems of which it is a participant.

It will accept requests submitted via mail, telephone, fax, or e mail through a public, academic, or school library. It will not accept requests by individuals.

The library will not lend bestsellers, videos, audiocassettes, compact discs, DVDs, non circulating items, local history materials, or genealogical materials. In certain cases, photocopies of specific pages in local history or genealogical materials may be photocopied, not to exceed ten pages, and subject to copyright laws.

It will make materials available to borrowing libraries for four weeks. Renewals of these items will be subject to approval by the library staff based on local need. Replacement charges, for which the borrowing library is responsible, will be assessed for lost or damaged materials.