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What is Interlibrary Loan? (ILL)

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is based on a formal cooperative agreement among libraries to share materials, or provide photocopies to other libraries. Once you have tried and failed to locate the research items needed in the NVVC Library, you then may initiate an interlibrary loan request. A request consists of your telling the NVCC library that you wish to borrow specific material from another library because it is not in the NVCC library. Then, if all the requirements are met, we find another library to loan our library the specific item(s) requested. Essentially, we're borrowing the book or another material on your behalf. NVCC Library augments its borrowing and lending capabilities through various organization memberships like the OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) network, an automated system that allows both national and international access to library collections. We are getting more dependent on an excellent local source, called reQuest, a cooperative project of the Connecticut state library and other participating libraries.back

What material may be borrowed?

Books and photocopies of journal and newspaper articles are easily obtained from most participating libraries. Materials borrowed or loaned are subject to compliance of United States copyright laws. back

Who is eligible to borrow books and other library materials via the interlibrary loan service?

Interlibrary loan service is only available to Naugatuck Valley Community College students, faculty, and staff. Patrons from other institutions must use interlibrary loan service at their home institution. back

What types of material are typically not available through ILL?

Reference items, dissertations (unless a second copy exists or it can be photocopied), genealogical material, art prints, rare books, entire issues of periodicals, new books, and all forms of audiovisual media are usually deemed non-circulating and subsequently cannot be borrowed.(Some exceptions do exist.) It is also important to note that if NVCC Library has a book in its collection, which is charged out, we cannot request it through interlibrary loan.back

How much time does it take to receive the materials I requested?

The turnaround time involved in requesting and receiving varies depending upon the location, time of year and availability of your item(s). However, you should allow at least a week or two from the time you initiated your requests. In some rare instances where there is a problem, or the item is only available out-of-state, or in a foreign country, it may take longer. back

Are there costs involved to obtain the items requested?

Sometimes, there is a small charge for copies(ten to fifteen cents per page), or a flat charge for a book ($5-15 per book or article), and as much as $25 or more to copy a dissertation, or other materials. We will inform you of any such charges before we complete your request so that you will have the option of opting to cancel, and find a substitute item for free. We always search for the holding libraries that do not charge first. Charges seldom occur. There is only a fee if we can’t find an institution that is a free lender. back

If I damage or lose a book or other material, must I pay for it, and where do I pay?

Lost or damaged items are subject to the replacement fees assessed by the lending library and will be your responsibility to pay. You will pay such charges at the circulation desk on the fourth floor of the library.back

How do I initiate a request?

After checking to make sure the items you want are not in NVCC Library, you must communicate your request to the library. You may do this in one of the following ways:

Fill out a paper Interlibrary Loan Request form, available at the circulation desk, and return it completed at the same desk.
If you are using the NVCC Library Web Page, click on “Interlibrary Loans”, and you will be able to make your request online via the reQuest database. Instructions will be published on this site when it becomes available for students on using this application. (See Remote requests.)
You may print out the form on this web site, fill it out, and deliver it to the library.(It will be available in PDF format soon.)
You may email your request to Dennis O’Connor at doconnor@nvcc.commnet.edu
You may telephone in your request to Dennis O’Connor at (203)575-8696.
Also, you may fax your request to Dennis O'Connor at (203)575-8062.

Please make sure to provide all of the necessary information. (SeeWhat information will I need to successfully initiate a request? in this goup of questions) immediately below.back

What information will I need to successfully initiate a request?

In order to rapidly facilitate the processing of your requests, you must supply the following information:

For all requests: Your name, address, phone number, your fourteen digit library card number, E-mail address (if available), and status at NVCC.

For books: Author's full name Title Date, Publisher and Place of publication(if known)

For articles: Title of periodical, journal, or magazine (NO ABBREVIATIONS) Author's full name Article title Volume, issue number, date, and page numbers,and ISSN number (if available)

For both books and articles: please provide Source of reference (meaning where did you obtain your citation? Masterfile Premier from Ebsco, FirstSearch?, etc.).

Please supply as much information as you can. To prevent processing delays, do not abbreviate the title of your journals. If you have questions regarding your citation, please consult a librarian or staff member.back

What conditions must be met to make a remote ILL request using the reQuest system?

First you must be a student, faculty, or staff member of NVCC, and have a valid library card. The material you seek must not be held in NVCC's collection, and must be found within the reQuest database. Then you must be able to fill out a simple online form and submit it.back

How will I know when my material has arrived and where do I pick it up?

You will be notified when the item or items you requested arrive. We will leave a phone message by default, but will e-mail, or send U.S. mail message if you request it. Books and photocopies are held for you at the circulation desk on the fourth floor of the library. You will make any monetary payments there, if they are due. back

How long can I keep the materials?

Photocopies are yours to keep. Loan periods for other items can vary and are set by the lending library, ranging from three to six weeks. Materials kept past the due date jeopardize our borrowing privileges with the lending libraries. Thus, it is imperative that you honor all due dates.back

Will I be able to renew books I received via an ILL request?

Many libraries allow one renewal. Some will not. Please request renewals at least seven days prior to the due date either by stopping by the Interlibrary Loan Department or by calling 203-575-8024. When renewals are permitted, only one renewal per book is allowed. You will be notified by phone, e-mail, or mail of the period of the extension. You may not request a renewal after the material is overdue.back

Do the same rules which apply to materials borrowed at NVCC apply also to ILL loans?

Other restrictions may also apply. We, at NVCC, will honor any restriction on use as imposed by the lender. Fulfillment of requests for Interlibrary Loans are subject to the availability of the material and to the policies and fees that the lending library may impose. Please keep in mind that the lenders' rules take precedence.back

Where do I direct questions, comments, suggestions, or concerns?

Questions or concerns about Interlibrary Loan policies, procedures, or the status of your requests should be directed to the Interlibrary Loan Department located behind the Circulation desk on the fourth floor of the Library either in person or by calling (203)-575-8696, or (203)575-8024 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may leave a voice message after hours. Alternatively, you may send an E-mail message to doconnor@nvcc.commnet.edu

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For Questions about information presented here, contact John Cupole, at (203)575-8199 or E-mail jcupole@nvcc.commnet.edu