Interlibrary Loan as defined by Mid-York Library System means to go outside our member libraries for books, periodical photocopies, video and audiocassettes, DVDs and CDs, microfilm and fiche.
We are able to request items from thousand of libraries--public, college & university, special, and medical--in the United States and Canada.
We are happy to go anywhere possible for your material!
What we do depends on the information you give us. Incomplete or inaccurate information can lead to an unfilled request. It is best if you give us the complete citation through Firstsearch Worldcat, Amazon or other database.
You can send in requests for new books but we cannot request them through Interlibrary Loan unless they are at least one year old. We refer new nonfiction books to a consultant to consider for purchase. At this time Mid-York is not buying new fiction, new music or new fictional DVDs.
One of the first questions asked of Interlibrary Loan is "how long will it take?" That depends on where the material is located, and how it is sent to you. Times range from three days to several weeks.
Another question is, "what will it cost?" Most returnable interloans (any item except photocopies) require mailing them back to the owning library. Library Rate postage averages $2.50 per item. Larger items cost more, and more valuable items (pre-1900 books, medical or art books) should be insured, which may add a dollar or two to the cost. Some member libaries ask their patrons to contribute all or part of postage costs. Mid-York charges nothing for the service.
CLRC, the local 3Rs council based in Syracuse, currently sponsors a delivery service between its members (including Mid-York). We get a large percentage of interloans (in 2004, more than half) from CLRC members, which do not require return postage.
We always go to free libraries first. A minority of items are only held at libraries which charge ILL fees (separate from return postage). These fees range very widely. We will always ask before sending a request to any location that charges.
Books. Photocopies.
Keeping Statistics. CLRC
Delivery Locations. ILL Request Form.
Information for Outside Agencies. Questions.
