Purpose

The purpose of interlibrary loan ( ILL) is to obtain materials that are not available locally. Interlibrary borrowing and lending are made possible through cooperative agreements in which participating libraries permit the use of their collections by scholars, researchers, and students of other institutions. Documents are also obtained through non-library entities, utilizing commercial document suppliers, full-text databases, and author contacts. Norwich University Library participates in the statewide Vermont Automated Library System (VALS) and the international OCLC ILL subsystem. As members of the state and international networks of lending institutions, there are specific guidelines in the National Interlibrary Loan Code that must be followed to ensure our good standing with other participating institutions. Patrons will be expected to abide by these guidelines, just as they must abide by the policies governing our own library.

Policies for Borrowers

Description of Eligible Borrowers and Costs

All faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students are eligible for ILL services. ILL services are free to all faculty, students, and staff. Guest borrowers are not eligible for ILL services.

Requesting Materials

A separate ILL form MUST be filled out for each ILL request. Online ILL web forms are available on the ILL web page. In the FirstSearch Database you may use the ILL link to submit your request. Paper ILL request forms are also available in the library at the reference desk and ILL office. Patrons are notified by telephone, electronic mail, or campus mail when requests are filled or when requests cannot be filled.

Types of Material Borrowed

The Norwich University Library will attempt to borrow any type of library material needed by its users. Not all requests can be filled on ILL, as many lending libraries will not loan reference books, audio visual materials, theses/dissertations and other special formats.

Theses and dissertations will not be purchased by the library to fill student requests if unavailable through interlibrary loan. However, these items may be purchased for the library’s collection for faculty members conducting scholarly research.

ILL requests for textbooks for  courses currently offered at Norwich will NOT be filled.  The reference librarians can assist in finding purchasing information for textbooks. 

In some cases, the ILL staff may purchase an item for the library rather than borrow it from another library under the following circumstances:

    • The item is a very recent publication.
    • The item is not available on ILL (reference book, A/V material, etc.).
    • The patron will be using on an extended basis.
    • The item costs less than $50, the liaison should be consulted if over $50.
    • When a renewal on an ILL item is requested, the library will look into purchasing it for the collection.
    • Items are not borrowed for School of Graduate Studies (SGS) students and faculty since the loan period from the lending library does not allow sufficient time for shipping.

Loan Periods and Renewals

The loan period is generally four weeks for most materials from the Norwich University Library. SGS students and faculty receive a 90-day loan period. Renewals should be made before the due date, and will be renewed once for an additional four weeks if there is not an outstanding request placed on the item.

Returning Materials

Materials should be returned on time to the circulation desk. SGS students and faculty must return books by mail (click here for a mailing label), and are responsible for return postage and any costs incurred from books being lost in the mail.

If not returned on time, overdue notices will be sent as a reminder. After 10 days, a third overdue notice will be sent, and interlibrary loan privileges will be suspended until the overdue material is returned. Students will be charged a $2 per day overdue fine for overdue ILL material. If an item is not returned, a bill for the replacement cost and processing fee will be sent.

Copyright and Photocopying

The Norwich University Library follows the current copyright guidelines when requesting a copy of material. Not more than six articles may be requested in a calendar year from a given journal title from the most recent five-year period. If this limit is exceeded, requests may be made through an article delivery service. All supplied copies include a notice of copyright.

Policies for Lenders

Will Accept Requests Via

OCLC, VALS, and ALA form.

Types of Materials Lent

Lent: The following material types are found in the Norwich University Library. Please note any restrictions to specific material type.

  • Monographs: lent
  • Journals: Articles are generally photocopied. Whole issues may be loaned on a case-by-case basis.
  • CD-ROM: lent on a case-by-case basis
  • Microforms: lent on a case-by-case basis
  • Video: lent on a case-by-case basis
  • Reference: lent by exception only
  • Special Collections: lent on a case-by-case basis

Loan Period

Generally 30 days for most items.

Renewals

We will renew an ILL if there is no outstanding hold for the item.

Overdue Materials

Overdue notices are automatically sent if an ILL is not returned by the due date. If a book is not returned, lost, or damaged, we charge a $50 minimum replacement fee.

Reciprocal Lender

Norwich University is a reciprocal lender and participates in both the Nelinet Online Code Signers and LVIS group for reciprocal lending.

Revised 1/09/2007

If you have a question or comment about the Library's website, please e-mail library@norwich.edu.