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Interlibrary Loan Policies
Murrysville Community Library

The interlibrary loan (ILL) service allows patrons to request items that the Murrysville Community Library does not hold in its collection.  The ILL staff will make requests through the Westmoreland County Federated Library System Union Catalog (WCFLS) and the Access Pennsylvania statewide database. If necessary, the staff can also send ILL requests to the Monessen Public Library and District Center, who will use a database that allows them to request materials throughout the country.


Who can make an ILL request?
 You must have an active Murrysville Community Library card and less than $5.00 in outstanding fees on your library account in order to make an ILL request. To check your library account status, please call 724-327-1102.


Is it free to make an ILL request?
Most of the time, the ILL service is free to the patron! The ILL staff works very hard to obtain materials from libraries that do not charge a lending fee.  In some occasions, however, the ILL staff may only be able to find the material you are requesting at a library that charges a lending fee. When placing your request, you have to opportunity to choose whether or not you agree to pay a fee in order to obtain the material. If you choose "yes" and the material is sent by a library that charges, you are required to pay the fee whether you pick up the material or not. Fees usually range between $5.00 and $20.00.


What types of materials can be requested through ILL?
 You can make requests for books, large print materials, audiobooks, music CDs and cassettes, videos, DVDs, and specific magazine or newspaper articles. Keep in mind that it is often difficult to obtain certain reference books or other rare items. The ILL staff cannot request materials that the library already owns in its collection, materials that have been published within the last six months, or entire newspaper or magazine issues. If you would like to suggest that the library purchase a material for the collection, pick up a Purchase Suggestion form at the Circulation Desk.


What information is required to make an ILL request?
When making an ILL request, you must give your name, phone number, and Murrysville Community Library card number. The ILL staff also requires the title, author or artist (if applicable), and type of material you are requesting, and whether or not you are willing to pay any charges that the lending library may require in order to send the material.


Will the ILL staff be able to obtain everything I request?
Requesting a material through ILL does not guarantee that the library will be able to obtain it for you. If your ILL request cannot be filled, you will be notified.


How long will it take to for my request to come in?
 You should allow at least two to four weeks for your ILL requests to come in. Also, if you are requesting more than one material, they may not arrive from the same library or at the same time. Please keep this in mind when placing your requests.


When will my ILL material be due?
 The lending library determines how long you may keep the material. Usually you will be able to keep it between three to four weeks. The lending library reserves the right to recall the material at any time or to require that it be used in the library only. You will be notified when the material has arrived, and you should plan to pick it up promptly so you have as much time with it as possible. All ILL materials must be returned to the Murrysville Community Library. There is a charge of $0.25 cents per business day that the material is overdue. If the ILL material becomes lost or damaged, you will be charged a fee determined by the lending library.


Can I renew my ILL material?
 Contact the Murrysville Community Library at least three days prior to the due date in order to request a renewal. Only the lending library has the jurisdiction to grant a renewal for their material. You may keep the material in the interim; however, if the renewal request is denied the material must be returned. No overdue fine will be calculated on the days while the renewal is pending. Once the lending library has made its decision, you will be notified.


How can I make an ILL request?
You can make ILL requests in one (1) of three (3) ways:
  1. Pick up an ILL Request form at the Circulation Desk
  2. Call the Library at 724-327-1102
  3. Use the online Interlibrary Loan Request form
Please note that requests for specific magazine or newspaper articles can only be made in person at the library.



created 8/7/2005 by Nicole DeMatteo and Michael Miller.