Piedmont College Libraries

Interlibrary Loan

Request Books or Book Chapters | Request Journal Articles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Interlibrary Loan do for library users?

The Interlibrary Loan Department supplies Piedmont College students, staff, and faculty with library materials in two ways:

If a desired book or journal article is not in the Libraries' collections, it can be borrowed from another library. The lending library will send a photocopy of a journal article or book chapter or the actual item itself, such as a book or a microform. In the case of users who do not attend at the Demorest campus, the Interlibrary Loan Department will then send the borrowed materials to the Athens Campus Library for pick up, or else will mail materials to cohort users.

If an Athens user needs materials owned by the Arrendale Library or a Demorest user needs materials owned by the Athens Campus Library, the Interlibrary Loan Department will send books or copies of journal articles or book chapters to the users' home library for pickup, or else will mail materials to cohort users.

Who can use Interlibrary Loan?

You are eligible to use Interlibrary Loan if you are a faculty or staff member or a currently registered student of the College. But please exhaust all resources available to you, including the full text services in GALILEO and the Electronic Library Resources before using Interlibrary Loan. Ask the librarians for assistance to find all the resources available before using Interlibrary Loan.

Does Interlibrary Loan cost me anything?

There are two types of charges possible: One hardly ever happens and one occurs only in specific cases.

A charge from a lending library to fill an request.

In over 99% of cases, users pay nothing to use Interlibrary Loan. Arrendale Library does not charge you to place a request or for any charges assessed by lending institutions.
Postage to return a book to the Interlibrary Loan Department.

When the Interlibrary Loan Department mails a book to a user, the user is responsible for the postage to return it to Arrendale Library.

What can I borrow?

In general, you can borrow books and photocopies of journal articles and book chapters. Some types of materials will not be loaned by other libraries, in accord with the provisions of the National Interlibrary Loan Code of the American Library Association. Entire volumes of journals, ""rare" materials, oversized and bulky materials, fragile materials, basic reference materials, video and audio materials, and nearly all theses and dissertations cannot be borrowed. Borrowing requests will not be filled for materials owned by Arrendale Library when checked out. If a book you need is checked out, please ask that a Hold Request be placed on it at the Circulation Desk.

How do I place a Interlibrary Loan request?

Electronic Interlibrary Loan request forms are available from the Library's web site and through a link in the MAYFLOWER. Forms must be filled out fully to be processed.

How long will it take to receive my request?

This depends on the source of the material requested, on your location, on the work load at a lending library, and on the speed of the Postal Service or UPS.

Materials requested from another library for a Demorest user:
- Journal articles typically take 5-7 business days to arrive;
- Books typically take 7-12 business days to arrive.
Materials requested from another library for an Athens user:
- Journal articles typically take 5-7 business days to arrive at Demorest and another 1-2 days to be transported to Athens;
- Books typically take 7-12 business days to arrive at Demorest and another 1-2 days to be transported to Athens.
Materials requested from another library for a cohort user:
- Journal articles typically take 5-7 business days to arrive at Demorest and another 2-3 days to be mailed to the cohort user;
- Books typically take 7-12 business days to arrive at Demorest and another 2-3 days to be mailed to a cohort user.
Materials requested from the Libraries' collections for an Athens Center user:
- Journal articles or books typically take 2-3 business days to be transported to the Athens Center.
Materials requested from the Libraries' collections for a cohort user:
- Journal articles or books typically take 2-3 business days to be mailed to a cohort user.

How late in the term can I request Document Delivery?

Because of the time lag between processing a request and its arrival, and because of the wasted effort which results when requested materials come in too late in a term to be of use, the Library will not process requests for Interlibrary Loan during the 14-day period before the last day of exam week during any semester. If you’re up against a deadline, ask a librarian for assistance either in person or by e-mail. However, if you submit a Interlibrary Loan request for materials needed for the next semester, the Library will be glad to process those.

How will I know when my request is available and where can I pick it up?

When your book or photocopy arrives, we will promptly e-mail you or call you, but only once per request received. Make certain you give us a current e-mail address and phone numbers where you can receive a message. Demorest and Athens users can pick up and return requests at any time the Arrendale Library or the Athens Campus Library is open.

How long can I keep the book borrowed for me?

The length of the lending period of a borrowed book is determined by the lending library, not by Piedmont College Libraries. Typically, borrowed materials may be used for 2–3 weeks. Shorter periods, such as 1 week, are not uncommon. Borrowed materials must be returned by the due date written on the paper band on the book.

Can I renew my borrowed book?

If the lending institution allows renewal of a lent book, you must request renewal at least 5 business days before the due date printed on the Interlibrary Loan book band on the item. If renewal is not allowed by the lender, that will be noted on the band attached to the borrowed book. Books borrowed from another library through the Interlibrary Loan service may not be renewed using the online renewal feature of the MAYFLOWER. Other common stipulations concerning the use of borrowed materials also noted on the book band include "In-Library Use Only" and "No Photocopying."

What if I keep my borrowed book beyond the due date — or lose it?

All users — students, staff, faculty — are liable for any fines or charges imposed by the lending institution for lost or damaged items. Moreover, the Libraries will impose a fine of $1 per day per overdue item, with no grace period and with a maximum fine per item of $25. If a user consistently returns ILL’s late, she or he may lose ILL privileges for a period based upon the severity of the abuse of ILL privileges.

Copyright Restrictions Warning Notice

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction.

One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order, if in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of the Copyright law.

For further information, contact Hugh Holden, Coordinator for Off-Campus User Services, at x1604, Lorena Rojas, at x1992, or the Circulation Desk staff at x1111. You can also contact the Interlibrary Loan Department by e-mail: illdept@piedmont.edu