Interlibrary Loan FAQs

 

What is Interlibrary Loan?
Interlibrary loan is a service whereby a user of one library can borrow books or receive photocopies of documents that are owned by another library.
The user makes a request with their local library, which identifies owners of the desired item, places the request, receives the item, makes it available to the user, and arranges for its return.
Although books and journal articles are the most frequently requested items, some libraries will lend audiobooks, videos, maps, sheet music and microfilm and microfiche. In many cases, nominal fees may accompany interlibrary loan services.

Can I get materials from other Alaskan libraries for free?
No. While many libraries in the state are participating in the joint Alaska Library Catalog, Homer Public Library is not currently a member. We are frequently assessing our options, but it's not a good fit for us at this point. However, many of our ILL requests are fulfilled within the state.

What materials can be obtained?
The following materials can be obtained through ILL:

  • Books
  • Videos
  • Music
  • Audiobooks
  • Microfilm and microfiche (used inside our library only)
  • Photocopies of articles and book chapters
  • Dissertations and theses
  • Musical scores

The materials below cannot generally be acquired through ILL:

  • New books
    • Please wait to place request until at least 6 months have passed from the item's publication date.
  • Genealogy materials
    • We cannot obtain genealogy material through ILL.
    • Many state historical societies have research by mail departments that can be accessed through their websites.
  • Electronic books (e-books)
  • Online electronic resources (computer software, video games, computer-oriented or interactive media)
  • Rare books
    • You may have to travel to a library that has the book.
    • If the rare book is loaned, its use is often restricted and must remain inside our library.
  • Reference materials
    • Many of these items are not circulated. The table of contents or several pages might be photocopied and sent.
    • If reference items are loaned, their use is often restricted and must remain inside our Library.
  • Titles not yet published
    • Please check online for projected publication date, then wait at least 6 months before requesting the item.
  • Books that the Homer Public Library owns
    • Don't forget to check our online catalog. If we have it, place a hold on it, or check it out if it's available!

Who is eligible?
Homer Public Library patrons are eligible. In order to submit a request you must have a valid Homer Public Library card in good standing. If you owe $10 or more on your account, you will be required to pay down your fine before checking out new items. A temporary library card will not be accepted.

What costs are involved?
Homer Public Library Interlibrary Services attempts to borrow materials as economically as possible and is usually able to provide ILL service for a minimal charge to defray the cost of mailing. The charge is $5.00 for books and $6.00 for audiovisual (A/V) materials and all other items that require Priority shipping. Unusually heavy items or multi-volume sets will be charged actual postage costs. HPL fees for books and A/V materials must be paid at the time of pick-up. Photocopies may be forwarded to you electronically via email at no charge. However, if printing is needed, there is a $0.25 per page fee, payable at the time of receipt.

If you do not retrieve your materials, your library card will be charged. We will not cover the cost of lost or damaged materials, rush fees, special service fees, or repair/replacement costs. If your item is only available from libraries that charge additional fees, we will contact you before ordering.

How do I submit a request for materials?
To submit a request you may:

ILL requests will not be accepted via email or over the telephone.

Having troubles? Contact Interlibrary Services.

How do I request articles from a magazine or journal?
You may complete a written request form at the library's circulation desk.
-or-
Contact Interlibrary Services for assistance at (907) 435-3165.

How long will it take to receive my materials?

  • Books, audiobooks, and videos usually arrive in 2-3 weeks, depending on the source of the material.
  • Photocopy requests may take from 2 days to 2 weeks to arrive depending upon which library can supply the item and how it will be delivered (electronically or by mail).

How do I check the status of my request?
If we are unable to fulfill your request, we will contact you. If the request is successful, we will not contact you until your item(s) arrive. If you need additional information about your requests, please contact Interlibrary Services.

How long may I keep the materials?
Loan periods are determined by the lending library. Standard loan periods are 2 weeks for books and 1 week for audiobooks and videos.

Your checkout period begins when your item is received by the Homer Public Library. You will be notified of its arrival the same day it is received.

Due dates are determined by the lending library and, as a general rule, items are not renewable.

What if I have overdue materials?

  • If you have interlibrary loan materials that are overdue, you will be charged a daily fee and a notice will be sent to you.
  • You will be blocked from further ILL activity until all fees are paid.
  • If an item has not been returned after its due date, you will be invoiced for replacement fees. When an item has been invoiced, a block is placed on your library account. This block suspends all library privileges. When the item is returned or paid for, library privileges are reinstated.
  • ILL privileges may be suspended if materials are repeatedly overdue.

Interlibrary Loan works because libraries honor each other's policies and due dates. Timely return of ILL materials assures that we will continue to be able to borrow from other libraries. Keeping an ILL book beyond the due date jeopardizes our ability to borrow from that lender in the future, and may make important materials unavailable to other interlibrary borrowers.

How can I read my Electronic Document Delivery article?

Electronic documents will be sent to you by way of Article Exchange, which is a document-sharing site that provides a single, secure location where lending libraries can place (and library users can retrieve) articles, book chapters, and other electronic materials requested through Interlibray Loan. You will be emailed the URL and password combination to download the file. If necessary, the interlibrary loan staff can print an electronically-delivered article for you. There is a charge of $.15 per page for this service.

IMPORTANT: By using HPL Document Delivery, you are agreeing to uphold the copyright restrictions applicable to all library materials. You are permitted to print one copy of the article for your own use.*

*All material is supplied in accordance with United States copyright law (Title 17, US Code). It is intended only for personal research or instructional use. Documents may not be stored or retransmitted in machine-readable form and should only be printed once. Further reproduction or copying in any form requires the prior express written consent of the copyright owner and payment of royalties. Infringement of copyright law may subject the violator to civil fine and/or criminal prosecution, or both. The Homer Public Library reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.