What is the VSU Libraries interlibrary loan system?

Sharing of materials between libraries is a core library service and is in the best interest of the VSU students, staff and faculty. In the interest of providing quality service, VSU libraries have an obligation to obtain material to meet the informational needs of users when local resources do not meet those needs.

Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a mechanism for obtaining materials first by sharing between the VSU libraries, and then by borrowing from other libraries if the resources are not available in the VSU libraries.

The primary purpose of interlibrary loan is to support the research and educational needs of the VSU community. If we can’t fill your request or have a question, we will contact you using your VSU email account.

Who can use interlibrary loan? 

Any current VSU student, staff or faculty with no library restrictions on their account. Current standing is defined by active enrollment in one or more current/  or upcoming classes for students; ongoing employment, and an active schedule of instruction for either the current or upcoming semester in the VSU.  When you place an interlibrary loan request your status will have to be confirmed as current by library staff. 

What types of items may not be possible to get through interlibrary loan? 

• Textbooks - (login to your University bookstore to purchase or rent) 
• Some encyclopedias, reference books, indexes, or rare books 
• Course reserve items  
• Archival materials  
• Microfilm  
• Dissertations and theses 
• Technical reports  
• Genealogy-related material  
• Physical  issues or bound volumes of periodicals, magazines or journals  
• Selected videos   Popular leisure materials especially newly published 
• ebooks 
• Streamed videos 
• Oversized items 

What can be borrowed through interlibrary loan? 

Books (whole or a scan of a chapter), Articles, DVDs 

How many items can I borrow in total at the same time? 

Fifteen items total can be borrowed from the VSU Libraries system to include up to ten items obtained through interlibrary loan. 

How long can I keep items that came from outside the VSU library system? 

The lending library determines the due date for the items they lend us. The checkout length varies from two weeks to two months with renewals to be determined also by the lender. Any renewal requests must also be approved by the library that owns the materials. If it’s a book that is required for your research or class and you want access to it for a full semester we advise you rent or purchase a copy.  

How long does it take to get items? 

If you are borrowing from within the VSU library system the items are shipped via the USPS from one branch to another or to your home mailing address. Shipping generally takes 3 to 14 days to arrive. If you are requesting a hardcopy item from an outside library it will take longer as it will be mailed to the VSU library branch first, and then will either be available for pickup or mailed out to you.  Articles and scans of chapters can arrive faster electronically. If you are requesting an item that is hard to borrow, it may take longer still, and some requests may go unfilled due to something being out of print, or so new that it is not eligible to be borrowed yet.  

If you need something right away the library’s electronic resources (journal/articles/databases/eBooks/streaming videos) are the place to search first. If you need a hardcopy, the faster option is to request an item owned by one of the VSU library branches before using ILL.

Remote Lending Policies 

Library materials will be mailed to off-campus patrons who live in the Northeast region. Electronic services will be offered to those out of the Northeast region due to USPS time constraints. 

What happens if an interlibrary loan item is lost or damaged? 

Once an item from a library outside the VSU library system is requested on your behalf you assume full financial responsibility for that item. If it is lost or damaged at any point you assume responsibility for the full replacement cost and any processing fees, or to purchase an approved library quality edition for replacement to send to the lending library. 

Copyright Declaration    

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve a violation of copyright law.  

Guidelines  

The guidelines for this service are set by the Vermont Interlibrary Loan Policy, the National Interlibrary Loan code, and the restrictions of lending libraries.