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Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery and GIL Express

Interlibrary Loan Guidelines Georgia Southern University Libraries Fall 2024

Purpose of Interlibrary Loan

ILL is a cooperative service that obtains materials or copies of materials not available in Georgia Southern Libraries (GSL). It is a privilege extended to the borrowing library and a service dependent upon the goodwill of the lending library. The conditions of this service are governed by the Interlibrary Loan Code for Georgia Libraries; the National Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States; special agreements with other libraries/networks such as LYRASIS; compliance with the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code); as well as laws, rules, and procedures pertaining to interlibrary loan activity promulgated by the state of Georgia.

Who may use Interlibrary Loan

Currently enrolled students, current faculty/staff and faculty emeriti of Georgia Southern University may use the interlibrary loan service. Alumni and members of the community need to contact their local public library for ILL services.

Materials usually available through Interlibrary Loan

Circulating books, microfilm, A/V, theses, dissertations, etc. may be borrowed. Scans of non-circulating materials, mainly chapters from books and journal articles, can be requested in accordance with copyright law. Items missing or checked out from GSL may also be borrowed.

We do not borrow textbooks, or any other book needed for the entire semester for patrons. We also cannot borrow e-books due to licensing restrictions from the publishers.

Materials usually not available through Interlibrary Loan

  • Items owned by GSL that are on the shelf
  • E-books
  • Textbooks
  • Reference books
  • Entire periodical volumes or issues
  • Newspapers
  • Fragile, bulky or special collection materials
  • Genealogy materials

How Interlibrary Loan works

All requests must be made online via the patron’s ILLiad account. This service allows patrons to track their ILL requests, see a history of items ordered and receive articles electronically. The link to log in is here. For the fastest possible service, please provide complete and accurate citations.

Document Delivery

GSL offers a document delivery service for all patrons. If a journal article is requested and we own it via an electronic subscription or in print, an electronic copy of the article will be sent to the patron’s ILLiad account. Single chapters from books that GSL owns can also be requested and will be delivered the same way. Patrons still need to come to the library to pick up returnable items that have been ordered on ILL or that the library owns.

Cost

GSL pays the copyright and ILL fees required by lending libraries – within reasonable dollar amounts. Most requests requiring fee payment will be processed automatically at no cost to the patron. We reserve the right to discuss requests with patrons who need items that require considerable expense.

The exception is that patrons are financially responsible for any item that is lost or damaged. Prices are set by the lending library.

Limits

At this time there are no limits to the number of items a patron may request. We reserve the right to change this on a case-by-case basis if needed.

How long it takes for requested material to arrive

On average, it takes 1 - 4 business days for periodical articles to arrive, and between 3 business days - 2 weeks for books. Items available from University System of Georgia libraries usually arrive faster. Items not available in our region could take up to four weeks to arrive. Keep in mind that excessive demand, location, staffing and technological capabilities of the lending library directly affect the turnaround time. Likewise, incomplete or incorrect citations submitted may create delays or result in unfilled or canceled requests.

Notification

We will contact the patron by email when the item arrives, using the address in their ILLiad account. It is the patron’s responsibility to follow up on requests.

Loan period

The lending library sets the return date on ILL items and this date must be honored. The average loan period is between 10 days and 5 weeks.

Renewals

Patrons who need more time with a book must request one through ILLiad before the due date. The lending library makes the decision whether or not to renew an item. ILL staff will notify the patron via email if the renewal is granted or rejected.

Restrictions

The lending library may set some restrictions on certain books. Some examples are "no renewals" (the due date cannot be extended) or "in library use only" (the book may not leave the library). These rules must be honored. Failure to do so may result in the suspension or loss of ILL privileges.

Returning material

All returnable materials should be brought to the Circulation or Access Services desk and given to a library employee. We do not recommend returning ILL items in the book drop, because they may get damaged if a heavy book falls on them. Patrons are financially responsible for any damage to ILL items.

Books can be returned to either campus but can only be processed by the patron’s home library.

Penalties for overdue ILL materials

If a student does not return ILL materials, GSL will place a hold on his or her student records. The hold will be removed as soon as the books are returned in good condition or paid for in full. Further ILL privileges will also be suspended until the hold is removed.

If a faculty or staff member does not return ILL materials, GSL will contact his or her department head to ask for assistance in getting the item(s) back. Further ILL privileges will be suspended until the materials are returned in good condition or paid for in full.

Any patron who repeatedly returns books after they are due may have his or her ILL privileges restricted or suspended for a semester. If books are still turned in late after full privileges are restored, GSL reserves the right to revoke ILL privileges permanently.

How to contact the Interlibrary Loan offices

The ILL department for the Armstrong campus is behind the Circulation desk in Lane Library. Hours of service are 8 to 5, Monday through Friday. The email address is lane-ill@georgiasouthern.edu and the phone number is 912-344-3125. Ask for Melissa Jackson or Carol Yarley.

The ILL department for the Statesboro campus is behind the Access Services desk in Henderson Library. Hours of service are 8 to 5, Monday through Friday. The email address is ill@georgiasouthern.edu and the phone number is 912-478-5405. Ask for Rebecca Hobbs or Josh Gee.