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ILL Book Requests
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How do I request a book to be sent through ILL?Before asking for a book, please check the Library’s online Catalog to see if the Library owns the book. If the book is not in the Catalog and was not published during the current calendar year, you may request it to be sent through the Library’s ILL program by filling out the online ILL book request form. Can I request a book through ILL if the Catalog says the only copy is Missing, Billed or Withdrawn?Yes. If the book is listed with one of these three statuses, it means the library does not currently own a copy of the book, so an ILL request may be made for this title. What if the Catalog says the only copy of the book is Library Use Only?The Library owns the book, so we cannot ask for this book through ILL. The Catalog lists an older edition of the book I am looking for. Can I request a different edition of the book through ILL?It depends on the edition. For example, if the Library owns a third edition of a book, and you want the fifth edition, it is possible to request the newer edition through ILL if there have been revisions made to the book. A simple reprint of the book is not eligible for ILL because the text in both editions would be exactly the same. Contact a librarian or the ILL staff for help with editions. The Catalog lists a book I'd like to read in another language. Can I request it through ILL?If you are seeking a copy of the book in a different language, the ILL office can try to find out if it exists and can be loaned. If you are seeking an English edition of a book and the Library owns a copy in a different language, the ILL office can make an attempt to see if the English edition exists. What if the Catalog says the only copy of the book is available as an e-book (electronic)?You may request a hard copy of a book through ILL if you prefer this format and the only Library copy is an e-book or electronic book. How long does it take for a book to come through ILL?
The average delivery time is two to six weeks. It depends on the number of copies available in the interlibrary loan network, how close the lender is to the Library, and how quickly the lender is able to process the request. How long will you hold the book for me?We will hold an ILL book until its return date, which is usually for three weeks. If you do not claim your book by the return date, it will be returned to the lender. Please note: The sooner you claim your ILL book, the longer the amount of time you may borrow the book. How will I be notified that the book has arrived?The Library will send a form letter to your mailing address (or e-mail address, if it’s in the Library’s database) when the item has arrived. The letter will indicate that the item has arrived and will advise you of the return date. What happens if I'm not finished with the book? Can I renew it? In many cases, a lender will grant one renewal, usually for another two weeks. Please call for the ILL office at (415) 557-4406 to request a renewal for the item. Only ILL staff is authorized to grant a renewal for an ILL item. Why won't some lenders allow a renewal?It may be the policy of the lending institution to not grant renewals. Since ILL is a cooperative service, SFPL must abide by the loaning institution’s policies. Why are some ILL books restricted to library use only?If the lending institution tells us that the book they are sending must be viewed in the library only, we have to follow their requirement. Items that are rare or in fragile condition will often be designated as library use only. I asked for a book/thesis/dissertation but got a reel of microfilm instead. Why?A library in possession of a unique printed item might not want to loan the item in case of damage or loss while in transit. However, the item might have been microfilmed for the purpose of sharing it through interlibrary loan. If a lending library tells us that they will send a microfilm instead of the printed text, we will contact you first before proceeding. Please be advised that microfilm cannot be borrowed and you will have to view it at the Main Library. Why is there a paper wrap around the book cover that I can't remove?The wrap is a crucial identifying marker to let all libraries know that the book is on loan to the San Francisco Public Library through interlibrary loan. The wrap must be on the book at all times while it is in your possession. What happens if I lose the information wrap?If you lose the wrap (see above question), please contact the ILL office at (415) 557-4406 as soon as possible. Why do I have to return the ILL book in person? Why can't I drop it off in the book bin?To insure that an ILL book is properly returned to the loaning library and released from your library record, it is best to present the book directly to SFPL staff. Why can't I drop off the ILL book at a library in my city? It's too hard for me to go to San Francisco. Returning an ILL book that we obtained on your behalf to a different library system will break the chain of custody and bypass the technical processes required for us to release the book from your library record, causing you to receive a bill for a lost ILL item. What happens if I'm late returning an ILL book?If you are late returning your ILL book, privileges associated with your library account will be suspended until the ILL book is returned. If you have questions regarding a late item, please call the ILL office at (415) 557-4406. What happens if I lose the book? Not only will your library privileges be suspended, but you will be issued a replacement charge that could run as high as $125. Any additional charges made by the lending library will be passed on to you, and those charges could run as high as $250. In short, you may be charged as much as $375 for a lost ILL book. Why are the penalties for an unreturned ILL book so harsh?When the Library obtains an interlibrary loan book for you, we are assuring the lending institution that you are a “good risk.” Losing their book or returning their book late tarnishes our reputation (and yours), and the loaning institution may decide to cancel loaning privileges to us. I got an ILL cancellation notice from the Library. Why?There are several reasons why an ILL request is cancelled. Among them are:
If you have questions regarding a cancelled request, please call the ILL office at (415) 557-4406. |
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