Interlibrary Loan

In order to enhance the ability of the Library to provide all the resources and services needed by its users, cooperative relations with other libraries and agencies should be considered. Cooperative relationships must not, however, be used by the College to avoid responsibility to provide adequate and accessible library resources and services (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, Criteria for Accreditation, 1991 edition, p. 32).

Drake State cooperates with other institutions, libraries, and agencies in requesting and lending items which may not be available locally. 

Drake State is a member of the Library Management Network, Inc. 

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is the cooperative exchange of items among institutions for the purpose of fulfilling the informational needs of their patrons. The following definitions and guidelines outline the ILL policy of Library Management Network (LMN). The guidelines are in compliance with Section 2.5 of the Contract Between LMN and (Member Library) which states that “The Member Library must participate in the interlibrary loan (ILL) exchange of materials with other LMN Member Libraries.”

Members:

  • Central Alabama Commmunity College
  • Gadsden State Community College
  • Northeast Alabama Community College
  • Snead State Community College

  1. Requests for Interlibrary Loan must include complete bibliographic information. Drake State Library adheres to the Interlibrary Loan Code in every respect in dealing with other institutions.
  2. Interlibrary loan requests from an LMN library can by completed by the user by logging into the library's catalog and selecting "Reserve this Title." (This will be important if/when we join)
  3. Interlibrary loan requests from a non-LMN library should be submitted using the ILL Request Form.
  4. If the request cannot be filled for any reason, you will be notified promptly.
  5. Interlibrary Loan materials must be returned on time in order for the Library to return these materials to the lending library or agency.
  6. Failure to return interlibrary loan material could result in your interlibrary loan privileges being revoked.

Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States With Explanatory Text

Description

The Reference and User Services Association, acting for the American Library Association in its adoption of this code, recognizes that the sharing of material between libraries is a core library service and believes it to be in the public interest to encourage such an exchange.

In the interest of providing quality service, libraries have an obligation to attempt to obtain and supply material to meet the informational needs of users when local resources do not meet those needs. Thus, interlibrary loan (ILL), a mechanism for obtaining material, is essential to the vitality of all libraries.

The effectiveness of the national interlibrary loan system depends upon participation of libraries of all types and sizes.

This code establishes principles that facilitate the requesting of material by a library and the provision of loans or copies in response to those requests.

Note: In 2023, the separate Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States and its accompanying Explanatory Supplement were merged into one document called the Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States with Explanatory Text. This single document sets expectation standards and reflects the shared values of our resource sharing community.

Documents

Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States With Explanatory Text (PDF)

Summary of Major Changes (2023)

ALA Interlibrary Loan Request Form (Fillable PDF)