Whom can I contact with questions about my Interlibrary Loan request?
What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?
Who may use ILL service?
What kinds of material can be borrowed through ILL?
Where does the library begin to find the material?
Can I check out the material and how long will I have to keep it?
How much does ILL cost?
How will I be notified when the material arrives?
Can I return ILLs to another library?
What if I just need a copy?
How many ILL requests may I submit?
What if I no longer need the item?
Return to Interlibrary Loan page
Whom can I contact with questions about my Interlibrary Loan request?
Please call or e-mail:
Bridget McConnell
Resource Sharing Coordinator
831.646.3743
mcconnel@ci.monterey.ca.us
Work hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Voice mail accepts messages any time so please leave a message if you are unable to reach Bridget in person. Your call will be returned. It is helpful to ask your questions in the voicemail message or in the e-mail.
What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?
ILL is a cooperative arrangement among libraries to share their collections so that customers have access to materials and information
that are not available in their local library. The customer requests each item at his or her local library, and the Library borrows the material or obtains a photocopy from another
library. The Library has many resources and much experience locating materials for loan to customers.
Who may use ILL service?
ILL services are provided to valid cardholders for material not found in the collections of Monterey Public Library or Pacific Grove Public Library.
What kinds of material can be borrowed through ILL?
The library will try to borrow any specific material that can be verified and is owned by another library with one exception. An item can
only be borrowed beginning July 1 of the year after it was published or released. For newer materials, please submit a recommendation for
purchase form. The reason for this policy is to give customers of each purchasing library the first chance to use new materials. If you want to speak with someone about your request
before you submit it, call ILL at 831.646.3743.
Where does the library begin to find the material?
The library always searches local libraries but may find the item you are looking for in library collections worldwide. Many sources are checked and the most accessible library is selected. Requests are
usually submitted electronically to obtain the loan as quickly as possible. The lending library may send the item by mail or delivery service.
Can I check out the material and how long will I have to keep it?
Most material can be checked out. The lending library decides if the material must be used "in library only". Generally, this applies to
microfilm or microfiche and fragile or rare publications. Sometimes there are other lending library restrictions such as "no photocopying".
The loan period is set by each lending library so the loan period varies. Interlibrary Loan materials cannot be renewed.
How much does ILL cost?
There is no charge to submit an ILL request.
The library will always try to obtain a free loan or copy. Sometimes, there is a loan or a copy fee imposed by the lending library. You can indicate your loan/copy limit when you submit the request. If you don’t want to pay a fee, you can indicate "free only". Some items are only available for a fee. If the item you are looking for is only available at a higher cost than the limit you enter, the Library will contact you.
How will I be notified when the material arrives?
If you have entered an e-mail address and selected e-mail notification in your library account,
or if you have submitted your ILL request on the library’s Web site, you will automatically receive an e-mail notice that the material has arrived. Otherwise,
you will receive a paper notice through the mail.
Can I return ILLs to another library?
Please return all ILLs to Monterey Public Library only so the item can be cleared from your record and returned immediately to the lending library. All ILLs are processed with a paper
sleeve with a barcode. This barcode is scanned to check the material out to you. It needs to stay in place in order to check the material back in again. The sleeve also identifies the item as an ILL.
What if I just need a copy?
You can request photocopies of magazine and journal articles or other materials through ILL. You will be asked to read and acknowledge a
copyright statement in order to proceed with your request.
How many ILL requests may I submit?
Effective May 1, 2008, there is a limit of 3 requests per seven-day week to ensure fair, equitable and timely service.
What if I no longer need the item?
If you no longer need the ILL, please call or e-mail so the request can be cancelled. If you have already received a notice that the item has arrived, please cancel so
the item can be sent back. You can leave a
message on voicemail anytime.
Bridget McConnell
Resource Sharing Coordinator
831.646.3743
mcconnel@ci.monterey.ca.us
