The Interlibrary loan (ILL) program is essential to libraries of all types and sizes as a means of
expanding the amount of material available to patrons. Each library has a responsibility to
develop and maintain a collection tailored to the needs of its patrons. The ILL program
supplements the collections of those libraries who choose to participate. The Morse Institute
Library chooses to participate in the program, recognizing that this is consistent with the library’s
mission to provide open and equal access to cultural, intellectual, and community resources. ILL
borrowing relies on cooperation among libraries to supplement local collections, and the Morse
Institute Library will participate by both lending ILL materials as much as possible, and by
borrowing materials requested by its patrons.
The use of ILL services is a privilege, not a right. The Library Administration may suspend or
limit ILL services for patrons who abuse the privilege.
For purposes of this policy, an interlibrary loan is a transaction in which library material or a copy
of the material is made available by one library to another library upon request. This does not
include materials shared among members of the Minuteman Library Network (MLN).
Transactions among members of the MLN are called “network transfers” and are not covered by
the ILL Policy.
The Morse Institute Library will provide ILL services to any patron of the Morse Institute Library
with a valid Minuteman library card.
ILL requests will be considered once the resources of the Minuteman Library Network have
been exhausted. The Library will first attempt to borrow ILL materials from free lenders. If the
requested item is not available from a free lender, the Library will contact the patron to
determine if the patron agrees to pay applicable borrowing charges.
Due to the ILL code that requires the borrowing library to pay for lost or damaged items (even if
caused by delivery issues), the Morse Institute Library will not request an item where less than
five OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) libraries own it, or if the value of the item exceeds
$100. In cases where it is determined an ILL request will not be submitted due to the cost of an
item, the Library will make an attempt to obtain a chapter scan from the book if possible.
The lending library is the sole determining authority of any and all due dates for library
materials. If the lending library’s item is overdue and the patron is charged, the patron will be
charged at the lending library’s rate. The money collected will be sent to the lending library.
The Morse Institute Library may suspend or limit interlibrary loan services for patrons who abuse
the privilege by practices that may include, but are not limited to: repeatedly failing to pick up ILL
materials; repeatedly returning materials beyond their due date; and/or damaging or defacing
materials.
Once requested, articles typically arrive within a few days. Books and other materials can take
two weeks or longer, depending on the lending library. The Morse Institute Library charges a late
fee for ILL items; this is in addition to any late fees charged by the lending library.
Patrons will be contacted as soon as the requested item(s) has arrived. If the Library is unable
to obtain the requested item, the patron will also be notified.
Statistics will be kept in accordance with the requirements of the Metrowest Massachusetts
Regional Library System, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and copyright law
guidelines and requirements.