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Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Frequently Asked Questions

 
If these FAQs do not answer your question(s), please call the Interlibrary Loan office at (719) 587-7174, send an email to ascill@adams.edu, or stop by the ILL office Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm.  We are happy to discuss any aspect of this service or clarify any questions you may have.
 
What is ILL?[top]
ILL is an acronym for "interlibrary loan". It identifies a service that many libraries provide -- lending and borrowing between libraries. This service allows us to provide access to materials not owned by Adams State College. Using interlibrary loan, we are able to borrow books and journal articles from other libraries in Colorado and the US on your behalf. The ILL office is located on the first floor of the Nielsen Library. The office is normally staffed 8am though 5pm, Monday through Friday (this is subject to change).
Who can use ILL? [top]
Any registered patron of Nielsen Library in good standing may submit an ILL request.  "In good standing" means that you have a current and accurate account at Nielsen Library, that you have no outstanding fines or overdues, and that no restrictions have been placed on your account.  The main goal of ILL is to provide access to academic materials for ASC students (including Distance Education students), faculty and staff. SLV community patrons are also welcome, with some restrictions (see next FAQ as well as Policies). Community patrons are encouraged to submit ILL requests through their public library or school.

Are there restrictions? [top]
Yes, the restrictions are determined by what type of registered library user you are. Also, all requests are governed by copyright and cost.

ASC Faculty, Students and Staff may submit up to 5 requests per week. If you have a project that requires more than this, please speak with the ILL office first.  All types of materials (e.g., books, articles, CDs, videos) may be requested, although some formats require pre-approval (e.g., dissertations, maps).

SLV Community and Non-ASC Students are limited to 3 active requests at a time. This material is limited to books and article reprints. If there are costs, pre-approval will be requested.

ASC Students who live outside of the San Luis Valley may have materials mailed to them, but only if they are currently enrolled in an ASC Distance Education program. We do not mail materials to community members without prior approval.

Are there "types" of materials that are hard to get?[top]
Yes.
  • maps
  • theses and dissertations
  • archival, rare or fragile items
  • foreign language items

If you need one of these types of materials, please seek prior approval before submitting a request. Please contact the ILL office at (719) 587-7174.
What is the turn around time? Is there a "rush" option? [top]
Requests for ILL material are normally processed by us within 24 hours (except weekends and holidays). Articles frequently arrive within 3 to 7 days.  Books and other media usually arrive within 1 to 2 weeks. Please note that this is a generalization -- each item is subject to snags and delays.

No, there is no option to rush a request. You may want to look at the alternatives to ILL below.
Will I be notified when my item(s) come in? [top]
Yes, we will contact you once for each item. How we contact you (i.e., email or phone) depends on what you enter as your contact information on the request you submit. We will not process requests with no contact information. Please see the Policies for details on your responsibilities.
Where do I pick up my ILL items?[top]
Materials are picked up at the Circulation Desk on the 1st floor of the library (i.e., the same place you check out books).  ILL materials that need to be returned (e.g., books, audio, etc) will be checked out on your library card.  For this reason, it's important to bring your library card with you when you pick up materials.  Journal articles are yours to keep and so do not need to be checked out on your record.
What is the cost for ILL? [top]
For the most part, this service is available at no charge. Occasionally, we may only be able to obtain an item if you are willing to share the costs.  If this happens, we will contact you before ordering your item. Alternately, when submitting your request you can agree to a certain amount that you are willing to pay -- charges can run between $5.00 and $20.00.

Even though there is no cost to you for using this service, each ILL request costs the library approximately $17.00 in staff time, resource use, transport, book-keeping, etc. So, the question of whether there is a "cost" is hard to answer. Of course there is a cost but not usually to you.
What are the alternatives to ILL? [top]
Almost all options will cost you money. Keep in mind that "the more desperate you are, the more expensive it will be."  Advance planning is the best way to avoid needing to use an alternative.  Please note that none of the following resources are affiliated with Nielsen Library.

For most materials, there is the option to drive to another library to obtain what you need.  With a valid ASC library card, you can check-out materials at almost all Colorado libraries through the Colorado Library Card (CLC) Program. In Alamosa, check with Southern Peaks Public Library.   For Colorado, look in the Prospector Union Catalog or the Prospector Library Directory, CSU-Pueblo ,or the Colorado Libraries Directory.  Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, but rather a starting point for other places to look.

ARTICLES (mostly free)
BOOKS & OTHER -- TO VIEW or PRINT (mostly free)
BOOKS & OTHER -- TO BUY
 
 
Last updated on January 30, 2009.