Mary Helen Cochran Library: Interlibrary Loan

Who can borrow through interlibrary loan?

Faculty and staff employed by the college, retired faculty, and currently enrolled students may use interlibrary loan services.  Those who are not current members of the college community, such as alumnae, and Amherst County residents should use their local public library's interlibrary loan services.

How long may I keep an interlibrary loan book?

The lending library sets the due date for interlibrary loaned materials; however, most often books are due in 8 weeks with the possibility of renewal.  All items borrowed by students must be returned before the end of the current semester.

May I take my interlibrary loan book or video out of the library?

Most lending libraries will allow you to take their materials out of the Cochran Library.  However, there may be times when you are required to use the material in the library depending on the format, value, or condition of the materials.

Will I be charged for overdue, lost, or damaged books?

If you do not return the book by the due date, you may be charged by the library for any fines that have accrued.  You will be charged the cost of the book plus a processing fee if your interlibrary loan materials are lost or damaged.  Books must be returned in the condition in which they were received.  Frequent late returns of interlibrary loan materials may cause you to lose borrowing privileges.

May faculty place interlibrary loan materials on reserve?

Unfortunately not.  Due to copyright restrictions, faculty may only place materials on reserve which are owned by Cochran Library.

Are there any items that cannot be requested through interlibrary loan?

• Currently assigned textbooks or books that have been put on reserve by our faculty.
• Items that the library already owns, either in hard copy or electronically (in our eBooks collections).  We will recall our books that are loaned to other libraries when there is a request rather than borrow the same item from another library.
• Entire issues of magazines or journals, and old, rare, one-of-a-kind materials.
• Items from international libraries.
• Theses or dissertations.

NOTE: The first time you access the interlibrary loan system, you will need to create an account.  

If you agree to these policies, CLICK HERE to make an interlibrary loan request.

For assistance email ill@sbc.edu.