Definition

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is the borrowing and lending of materials between libraries all over the world. (Interlibrary Loan Department: ycill@york.cuny.edu)

Purpose

This service is offered by York College Library to provide access for our patrons to materials not available on campus.

Who may use ILL?

Faculty, staff, and currently-enrolled students of York College and QHSSYC are eligible for borrowing privileges.

Procedure

1. Check library holdings (Library Catalog, Periodicals Black Binder, and Full Text Databases) to be certain that York Library does not own the material.  In CUNY+, you can click on "Select all CUNY Libraries" and search to determine whether the book you need is owned by another CUNY library.  If it is available elsewhere in CUNY, you can place a request for the book yourself by using CLICS, which is often faster than Interlibrary Loan.
2. An interlibrary loan request form must be completed for each item requested.  Forms are located at the reference desks and online. Please carefully follow instructions given on the forms, and then submit to the reference desk or online. Incomplete requests will not be processed.
   
3. It is recommended that a minimum of 14 days be allowed to process the request. Please plan accordingly.
4. When the book or photocopy you requested arrives, the item may be picked up at the reference desk.  Faculty and staff will be notified by email or phone, while students are responsible for checking whether their items have been received.
5. Return all ILL books to the reference desk, not the Circulation desk.

Use of Borrowed Materials

In order to make Interlibrary Loan an effective service, it is necessary to maintain good relations with lending libraries.  Loan periods and restrictions are set by the lending library, and users must comply with their regulations.  Most libraries lend material for two to four weeks.  Material must be returned promptly. Repeated disregard of lending libraries' due dates by York College patrons will result in loss of ILL privileges until all materials have been returned or paid for.

Renewal Requests

If a renewal is necessary, it must be made at least four days before the due date, in order that the lending library may be contacted.  Renewals are made at the discretion of the lending library.

Charges

Most books and photocopies are free to the patron, except where there is a charge by the lending institution.  When there is a charge, every effort will be made to contact the patron before initiating the request.