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Interlibrary Loan Borrowing Policy

    

Interlibrary loan borrowing provides NJIT faculty, students and staff access to needed materials available in the collections of libraries other than NJIT. Interlibrary loan borrowing requests are accepted through an online form available from the Interlibrary Loan page of the library’s website and from within the online catalog. Borrowers are notified by email about the availability of their interlibrary loan requests.

Who may use the interlibrary loan service?

  • Currently registered NJIT students; Distance Learning students
  • Current NJIT faculty & staff; Emeritus faculty
  • VentureLink employees: must submit interlibrary loan requests in person

Who is not eligible?

  • Alumni
  • Courtesy patrons (including VALE patrons)
  • General public with public library cards

What type of materials you may borrow?

  • Books and articles not owned by NJIT libraries
  • Dissertations, proceedings, patents, reports, and some non-print items. These materials may be difficult to obtain through interlibrary loan. Patrons will be notified if there is a charge attached.
  • Items listed as “Missing” in Voyager OPAC
  • Items “Recalled” and not returned within 2 weeks
  • Items long overdue and billed for replacement

What type of materials you may not borrow?

  • Course related textbooks
  • Multiple copies of a single title
  • Materials for placement on reserve
  • Reference materials
  • Archives and special collections

How many requests are allowed?

There are no limits to the number of requests that can be submitted at one time. However, when    multiple requests are submitted the interlibrary loan staff will process up to 10 items (in priority order) per patron per day during peak periods of the semester.

What is the turnaround time for interlibrary loan requests?

Turnaround time may be as short as 24 hours for articles. Some articles will arrive within 3 business days. Books and other borrowed items may take anywhere from 4 days to two weeks depending on the lending library. Turnaround time may be affected by incomplete and/or incorrect information, holidays and weekends.

How will you be notified when your interlibrary loan requests have arrived?

An email notification will be sent to your NJIT email account when an interlibrary loan request has arrived and is ready for pickup. Most articles will be delivered in electronic format to your NJIT email account.

Where you can pick up your interlibrary loan request

  • Books and other materials borrowed through interlibrary loan may be picked up at the Interlibrary Loan window of the Van Houten Library, otherwise at the Circulation Desk.
  • For distance learning (off-campus) students-materials will be mailed or emailed to you as selected on the request form.

Fees

Currently there is no charge for submitting an interlibrary loan request unless the cost of the loan or article exceeds $35.  If the cost is over $35, a fee will be levied on the borrower. Interlibrary Loan staff will contact the borrower before the final request is placed.

Borrowers who keep interlibrary loan items beyond the due date are responsible for payment of any fees imposed by the lending library.  On-site borrowing privileges at the NJIT libraries will be suspended until all interlibrary loan obligations are cleared.

Loan periods

Loan periods for most borrowed items are 4 weeks. The actual due dates vary depending on the policies of the lending library and may also contain special conditions (e.g. on-site-use only). Interlibrary loan items may be recalled at any time by the lending library. 

Renewals

You may request renewals by sending an email message to lib_ill@njit.edu, or by calling 973-596-3204 or in person at the interlibrary loan window. The Interlibrary Loan Staff will notify you by email if the renewal request was denied. Materials that are designated "No Renewal" or that have been recalled by the lending institution cannot be renewed.

Recall

Borrowed materials are subject to recall by the lending library. Interlibrary loan staff will contact the borrower directly to request return of a recalled item. Recall fines apply for interlibrary loan materials.

Loss or Damage

The borrower is responsible for all costs associated with lost or damaged interlibrary loan materials. The lending library assesses the charges for loss or damaged items, and the charges vary from library to library.

The University reserves the right to hold transcripts and diplomas if you do not pay your interlibrary loan obligations.

Copyright

NJIT libraries comply with U.S. Copyright Law and regulation. To ensure compliance, interlibrary loan forms contain a statement of borrower copyright responsibility. In cases where requests from an individual violate the copyright law, interlibrary loan staff will inform the borrower and provide alternatives for access to the information.

Approved: April 2010 Librarians Team Meeting