Interlibrary Loan - Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What is Interlibrary Loan?
2. How do I make an Interlibrary Loan request?
3. How long will it take to get my requested item?
4. Can I get a video through Interlibrary Loan?
5. There are 133 people on hold for the book I want. Can I get it through Interlibrary Loan?
6. What about non-circulating material in Reference or the North Carolina Room? Will you request material that they have for me?
7. Am I able to get photocopies of magazine articles?
8. What happens to my request when I turn it in at my local branch?
9. What does "IN HOUSE USE ONLY" mean?
10. Can I renew an Interlibrary Loan item?
11. Can I return my Interlibrary Loan item to any location?
12. I turned in my ILL request weeks ago; how can I find out the status of my request?
13. Who can use PLCMC's Interlibrary Loan Services?
14. How much does an Interlibrary Loan cost?
15. Are there any guarantees?

1. What is Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary Loan is a service that makes materials not owned by our library,available to patrons. We work in cooperation with other libraries across the nation in procuring wanted material. Please keep in mind that many libraries do not loan recently published, high-demand, rare, or fragile materials.

2. How do I make an Interlibrary Loan request?

For your convenience, you may access copies of the ILL forms and print them out at home. You may fill them out and bring them to your local library. You may also submit an ILL request in person at any branch or you may call your nearest branch and submit the first ILL request over the telephone but if submitting more than one you must go to your branch. To submit an ILL directly to the Main Library call 704-416-0101

3. How long will it take to get my requested item?

Generally it will take 1-6 weeks. We are always subject to other libraries' willingness to lend an item.

4. Can I get a video through Interlibrary Loan?

We can request material in any format - video, audio, or print. However, the lending library's policies determine whether or not they will loan an item to PLCMC. Be assured that each request is submitted and every effort is made to get the material for you.

5. There are 133 people on hold for the book I want. Can I get it through Interlibrary Loan?

If our library system owns the item, we are not able to request it through Interlibrary Loan. The National Interlibrary Loan Code, published by the American Library Association, does not allow libraries to request material that they already own. If the item you need is in high demand, many times PLCMC will purchase or lease additional titles. We will gladly place the material on hold for you. If the status of the item appears as LOST, MISSING, WITHDRAWN, or TRACE in the library catalog, we can request it for you through InterLibrary loan.

6. What about non-circulating material in Reference or the North Carolina Room? Will you request material that they have for me?

The same rules as in FAQ#5 must also apply here.

7. Am I able to get photocopies of magazine articles?

Requests for photocopies of material not owned by our library may be submitted. We will need the complete citation (ie. Journal Title, Article Title, Article Author, Date, Volume, Issue and Page Number)

Be aware that some Institutions charge for copies. Please indicate if you are willing to pay for copies (see #14).

8. What happens to my request when I turn it in at my local branch?

The request is sent electronically to Interlibrary Loan Services at Main Library. The request is then electronically submitted to a world wide network of libraries. The first available library to fill the request will send it to Interlibrary Loan at Main Library where it will then be forwarded to the library branch of your choice.

9. What does "IN HOUSE USE ONLY" mean?

Some libraries require that their material be used only in our library buildings. Books may be sent to branches for "IN HOUSE USE ONLY;" however, microfilm and microfiche must be viewed in the North Carolina Room, located on the 3rd floor of the Main Library.

10. Can I renew an Interlibrary Loan item?

Only lending libraries, not PLCMC, can determine the Due Date of an item, and generally lending libraries do not grant renewals on material. Lending libraries, although often willing to lend material, always have to keep their patrons in mind and, for this reason, must have their material returned as soon as possible.

11. Can I return my Interlibrary Loan item to any location?

Due to the complicated process of requesting Interlibrary Loans and sending them to the branch of your choice for pick-up, Interlibrary Loan material must be returned to that same branch.

12. I turned in my ILL request weeks ago; how can I find out the status of my request?

You may simply send us an e-mail via the "Check Status" page or you may call (704) 336-3637. At present all status checks have to be done by Interlibrary Loan personnel. If we are not available, leave a detailed message.

13. Who can use PLCMC's Interlibrary Loan Services?

Anyone with a valid PLCMC library card can request material through Interlibrary Loan. However, there must be no fines on your account before any request is processed.

14. How much does an Interlibrary Loan cost?

The first request is free, but there is a small processing fee ($2.00) for the 2nd and 3rd request in the same week. However, there are some libraries will charge us without notification for filling a request. This happens rarely and we must pass these charges on to you.

The average charges range between $10-$20.

We always strive to provide this service for free.
95% of the items we receive are loaned to us free of charge.

15. Are there any guarantees?

PLCMC's Interlibrary Loan Service cannot guarantee the procurement of any item you request. We always have to rely on other libraries' willingness to loan material.

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