Interlibrary loan is a formal agreement among libraries. If you cannot locate the research materials you need in the College library, you may initiate an interlibrary loan request.

Stockwell-Mudd Libraries enhances its borrowing and lending capabilities through membership in the OCLC–Online Computer Library Center–network, an automated library system that connects us to over 5,000 libraries in the U.S. and fifteen other countries.

The interlibrary loan service is available to Albion College students, faculty and staff.

Circulating books and photocopies of journal articles are easily obtained from most libraries. Reference materials, dissertations, high-use materials, rare books and audiovisual media may not be available.

Interlibrary loan is a courtesy provided by the lending library. Albion College is bound by any restrictions on use imposed by the lender. It is not unusual for libraries to require that the materials they lend be used in the borrowing library or that their materials not be photocopied.

Fulfillment of requests for interlibrary loans is subject to the availability of the material and to the policies and fees that the lending library may impose.

The time involved in requesting and receiving material through interlibrary loan varies, but you should allow at least two weeks from the time your initial request is made. If there is a problem locating the item you need, it may take longer.

The majority of materials we borrow are from libraries with which we have reciprocal no-charge agreements. Occasionally materials are located only at institutions that charge to process interlibrary loan requests. These charges are paid by the library for all faculty, staff, and students.

If the materials you want are not available locally, go to the Library Online Catalog and select the Interlibrary loan request form and follow the prompts, or click here.

A code established by the American Library Association requires that all requests include the following bibliographic information:

For books:

• Author’s full name
• Title of the book
• Publisher, place, date, if known
• Edition, series, and volume number, if known

For articles in journals:

• Title of journal
• Article title, author and page numbers
• Volume number and year

If you do not have this information, please consult a librarian.

Student borrowers are notified by telephone or campus mail or email when the books they have requested arrive. Items are held at the Circulation Desk in the Mudd building. Photocopies of articles are mailed to the student’s KC Box.

Faculty and staff borrowers’ books and articles are sent via campus mail.

Loan periods are set by the lending library and usually range from two to four weeks. Materials kept overdue jeopardize our borrowing privileges with other libraries so it is imperative that borrowers honor all due dates. You may usually request a loan renewal, but strict fine policies are enforced for overdue materials. Renewal Request Forms are available at the Circulation Desk.

Please return all borrowed materials to the Circulation Desk in the Mudd building. Photocopies of journal articles may be kept.

Questions or concerns about Interlibrary Loan policies may be directed to the Document Access Librarian, Allie Moore, at extension 0441 during regular business hours or by email Amoore@Albion.edu.

At other times, you may contact the librarian on duty at the Reference Desk.

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