Interlibrary Loan
Please take a moment to read this page before submitting your request.
General Information
The MSU Library’s Interlibrary Loan service is available to help provide access to materials we do not have at the MSU Library. Before submitting an Interlibrary Loan Request, please check to see if the item is available from the MSU Library. We do not do Interlibrary Loans for print material which we have available in an electronic format. For example, we would not do an Interlibrary Loan for a print copy of a dissertation or thesis which is available in full-text in ProQuest. In addition, we do not do Interlibrary Loans for items owned by the MSU Library, but checked out.
Limitations
A patron may not have more than ten requests for book loans through Interlibrary Loan at one time.
No Interlibrary Loans will be processed for any person who currently has an overdue Interlibrary Loan or an unpaid Interlibrary Loan charge.
The MSU Library reserves the right to refuse to process Interlibrary Loan requests for any patron who has previously failed to comply with our Interlibrary Loan policies. Any person who returns an Interlibrary Loan more than 30 days after the due date established by the lending library, or whose late return of an Interlibrary Loan created problems in the MSU Library's relationship with a lending library, will forfeit his/her Interlibrary Loan privileges.
Who is eligible for Interlibrary Loan services?
You must be an MSU employee or currently enrolled student to use this service.
Can I get textbooks through Interlibrary Loan?
No. Interlibrary Loan is not a substitute for the bookstore for acquiring required textbooks. The MSU Library does not process Interlibrary Loan requests to acquire textbooks for students.
What other kinds of materials are generally not available through Interlibrary Loan?
- Reference books
- Complete issues of periodicals or newspapers (libraries will photocopy articles)
- Books published recently (many libraries do not lend anything published in the last year)
- DVD’s and videos (a few libraries lend these items, but many do not)
- Items in Special Collections
What will it cost?
The MSU Library does not charge for its Interlibrary Loan service, however some lending institutions do. Students will pay the fee, if any, that is charged by the lending library. When you submit the Interlibrary Loan request form, please indicate how much you are willing to pay. If it is not available free of charge, we do not process the request if you have indicated you do not wish to pay for it.
How long will I have to wait for an item?
Please allow ten to fourteen working days. Items frequently arrive within a week, but the time varies depending on the lending institution. You will be notified when the item arrives. If we cannot obtain a requested item you will also be notified.
How long can I keep an item? Can I renew it?
The loan period for requested items is set by the lending library and can vary from a week to a month or more. Some institutions do not allow renewals on requested materials, and some require that their loaned items be used IN THE LIBRARY ONLY. If the lending library has stated that an item cannot be renewed, this will be indicated on the paper strap attached to the item. If you wish to extend the loan period on a renewable item, you must contact Interlibrary Loan at the MSU Library by phone at 304-929-1528 or email at sharonb@mountainstate.edu at least three days before the item's due date. PLEASE do not contact the library that owns the item. Overdue materials cannot be renewed.
What happens if I lose or damage a book?
You will be required to pay a fee for the damage/loss. The lending library establishes the amount to be paid (usually the cost of replacing the item) and may charge a processing fee. You will pay the fee to the MSU Library, and we will pay the lending library’s invoice. Note that your MSU Library Interlibrary Loan privileges will be suspended until all fees/fines are paid.
Questions?
Interlibrary Loan is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
We can be reached by phone, email or postal mail:
Interlibrary Loan
Robert C. Byrd Library
P. O. Box 9003
Beckley, WV 25802
(304) 929-1528
1-877-678-5427 x 1528
ill@mountainstate.edu
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