This code is a voluntary agreement adopted by NOBLE on 2/21/85 to govern interlibrary lending from libraries in the above-mentioned network.
INTRODUCTION
Interlibrary loan service is essential to the vitality of libraries of all types and sizes as a means of greatly expanding the range of materials available to users. Lending between libraries is in the public interest and should be encouraged. This code is intended to make interlibrary loan policies among those libraries adopting it as liberal and as easy to apply as possible. Interlibrary loan should serve as an adjunct to, not a substitute for, collection development. When resources within the region have been exhausted, loan requests to more distant libraries should then conform to the provisions of the National Interlibrary Loan Code, 1980.
I. Definition
An interlibrary loan is a transaction in which library material or a copy of the material, is made available by one library to another upon request. This definition does not apply to transactions between libraries offering full reciprocal borrowing within this consortium.
II. Purpose
The purpose of interlibrary loan as defined in this code is to obtain library material not available in the local library.
III. Scope
Under the terms of this agreement, it is permissible to request on interlibrary loan any type of library material except those listed in each individual policy under “Not loaned.”
IV. Responsibilities of Borrowing Libraries
A. Each library should provide the resources to meet the ordinary needs and interests of its primary clientele. Material requested from another library under this code should generally be limited to those items that do not conform to the library’s collection development policy or for which there is no recurring demand.
B. Borrowing libraries should make every effort to exhaust their own resources before resorting to interlibrary loans.
C. The interlibrary loan staff of each library should be familiar with, and use, relevant interlibrary loan documents and aids including interlibrary loan documents provided by participating libraries.
D. Each library should inform its users of the purpose of interlibrary loan and of the library’s interlibrary borrowing policy. Any member of the borrowing library’s clientele should be eligible for interlibrary loan.
E. The borrowing library is responsible for compliance with the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) and its accompanying guidelines, and should inform its users of the applicable portions of the law. An indication of compliance must be provided with all copy requests.
F. Requested material must be described as completely and accurately as possible following accepted bibliographic practice. If an item cannot be verified, the statement “cannot verify” should be included along with information about the original source of citation.
G. Requests should be routed through channels established by libraries participating in this agreement. These channels are outlined in interlibrary loan documents provided by individual libraries.
H. Standard interlibrary loan forms should be used for libraries not online.
I. The safety of borrowed materials is the responsibility of the borrowing library from the time the material leaves the lending library until it is received by the lending library. The borrowing library is responsible for packaging the material so as to ensure its return in good condition. If damage or loss occurs, the borrowing library must meet all costs of repairs or replacement, in accordance with the preferences of the
lending library.
J. The borrowing library and its users must comply with the conditions of loan established by the lending library. Unless specifically forbidden by the lending library, copying by the borrowing library is permitted provided that it is in accordance with the copyright law and no damage to the original volume will result.
K. The borrowing library should encourage library users to travel to other libraries for on-site access to material when extensive use of a collection is required or the nature of the material requires special handling. The borrowing library should assist the user in making the necessary arrangements.
V. Responsibilities of Lending Libraries
A. The decision to loan material is at the discretion of the lending library. Each library is encouraged, however, to interpret as generously as possible its own lending policy with due consideration to the interests of its primary clientele.
B. A statement of interlibrary loan policy should be made available upon request and should be on file in the Massachusetts State Library and with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
C. The lending library should process requests promptly. Conditions of loan should be stated clearly and material should be packaged carefully. The lending library should notify the borrowing library when unable to fill a request, stating the reason for not filling the request.
D. A lending library is responsible for informing any borrowing library of its apparent failure to follow the provisions of this code.
VI. Expenses
A. The borrowing library should be prepared to assume any costs charged by the lending library and should attempt to anticipate charges and authorize them on the initial request, (See individual policies of participating libraries.)
B. If the charges are more than nominal and not authorized by the borrowing library, the lending library should inform the requesting library and ask for authorization to proceed.
VII. Duration of Loan
A. The duration of loan unless otherwise specified by the lending library, is the period of time the item may remain with the borrowing library disregarding the time spent in transit.
B. Interlibrary loan material should be returned promptly.
C. A renewal request should be sent in time to reach the lending library no later than the due date. If the lending library does not respond, it will be assumed that renewal, for the same period as the original loan, is granted.
D. All material on loan is subject to immediate recall, and the borrowing library should comply promptly.
VIII. Violation of Code
Each library is responsible for maintaining the provisions of this code in good faith.