Who may use interlibrary loan?
All students, faculty, and staff of Columbia State are permitted to use this service.

When should I use interlibrary loan?
You may request an interlibrary loan when the materials you need that are not available from the Columbia State libraries. Before requesting an Interlibrary Loan, please discuss your information needs with the librarian. Columbia State may have other materials, both print and electronic, that will satisfy your information needs.

How do I request materials from Interlibrary Loan?
Printed Interlibrary Loan forms are available at the Reference Desk on the Columbia campus. Electronic forms are available on the library's web page for all locations. Please fill out the forms as completely as possible.

What may be borrowed?
The Columbia State Library will attempt to fill requests for all types of materials, but most libraries do not loan the following items:
Bestsellers
Bound volumes or single issues of periodicals and newspapers
     (photocopies of specific articles are sent)
Reference and other noncirculating books
Media items such as CDs and videos
Rare or valuable items such as manuscripts
Government documents, dissertations, theses, microfilm, and microfiche may also be difficult to borrow through Interlibrary Loan.

How long does Interlibrary Loan take?
It can take anywhere from a few days to over two weeks or longer. If the item is in-state from a library that is part of our area borrowing network, it may take only a few days. If the item is out-of-state, then it may take a longer period of time.

How long can I keep the materials?
The loan period is established by the lending library but is usually 2-4 weeks. The date due will be indicated on a form accompanying the borrowed materials. In most cases you will not need to return photocopies of journal or newspaper articles.

Can I renew?
Maybe. Some lending libraries allow materials to be renewed and others do not. Please contact the library by phone (931-540-2560 or 931-540-2559) or email (bayless@columbiastate.edu) before an item is due. We will check the policies of the lending library and respond by telephone or email.

Is there a cost?
You will not be charged for requesting an interlibrary loan. Most books and articles are provided by the lending library without cost, but some items may only be available from a library that charges. You will be notified if there is a fee, and you will be responsible for paying the fee.

On the interlibrary loan request form, please be sure to indicate the amount you are willing to pay if there is a fee for borrowing the item. We try to get the item from a free source; but, when the item is not available for free, we search for the least expensive source.

Normal overdue charges will apply if a book is late. Overdue notices will be sent to you.

How will I be notified when the material arrives?
We will contact you by email or telephone. You may pick up the materials at the appropriate campus library.

What if I need a "rush" item?
Plan ahead and try to avoid "rush" requests. Lending libraries will do what they can, but we cannot guarantee we can get an item for you on a "rush" basis.

Questions?
Call us at 931-540-2560 or 931-540-2559 or contact us by email at bayless@columbiastate.edu.

Copyright
We comply with all provisions of the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code). We will refuse any interlibrary loan request that is deemed to be in violation of these laws.