Interlibrary Loan

Looking for something MPL doesn’t own? Contact the reference desk of your preferred library location to make an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) request. It's free and, sometimes, it's necessary.

What is interlibrary loan?

Because no library can own everything, Interlibrary Loan is a system that allows libraries to share resources with one another. The ILL Department locates a potential lending library and sends a request to borrow the item you seek. The lending library photocopies articles or checks out the material in the name of McAllen Public Library. It then mails it to MPL for you to pick up and check out on your library card.

How do I order?

Interlibrary Loan request forms are filled out for you at the reference desks of all three library locations. You can also make a request by phone, fax or e-mail (see contact info at bottom of this page). You must have a valid McAllen Public Library card to place a request. For each item you request, the following information is needed: author’s name, title of book, and date of publication (if known). When requesting an article from a magazine or journal, we need the title of the journal, article title, volume number and pages in which the article appears.

How much does it cost?

We do not currently charge any fees for Interlibrary Loan, unless they are assessed by the lending library. Photocopies of articles are often provided free of charge or for a minimal fee. Please state on each form the maximum expense you are willing to pay for the requested material. Fines for overdue ILL materials are $0.10 per day, with a 7-day grace period. If an item is lost or damaged, you are responsible for the replacement cost, plus any additional processing fees assessed by the lending library.

How long will it take?

The length of time involved in obtaining a loan or photocopy can vary considerably. We have no control over how long another library will take to fulfill your request. However, most materials can be obtained within two weeks to two months after your request is submitted. Be sure to submit requests well in advance of your need of them. You will be notified by telephone, e-mail or by regular mail, when the material arrives. Materials ready for pick up are held at the circulation desk for SEVEN DAYS. If we are unable to fulfill your request, you will receive notification of the UNFILLED status by regular mail.

How long do I get to keep the material?

The lending library determines the loan period and renewal policy for its materials. You can expect to keep most materials for two weeks. Interlibrary Loan is essential to the vitality of our resource sharing system. Borrowing materials from other institutions is a privilege. Occasionally, libraries will lend materials with certain restrictions, such as in-library use only, or a shorter check-out period, or no renewal. Our library respects all restrictions placed on materials by the lending library. Users are expected to honor due dates and comply with any restrictions stipulated by the lending library. ILL relies on consideration and good will. When ILL materials are not returned promptly, it reflects poorly on the borrowing library, and some lenders may stop lending materials to the offending library. Please return your ILL materials on or before the due date stamped on the ILL book band.

Where should ILL books be returned?

We encourage patrons to return ILL materials to the library location where they first picked them up so that paperwork can be cleared before they are returned to the lending library. Do not return ILL materials in the book drop. Please return them to the circulation desk.

How are books renewed?

The lending library decides on a case by case basis whether or not to renew. If you should need to make a renewal, you must contact the ILL office three days before the due date, and we will make a request for renewal. You will then be contacted regarding the lending library's decision. Lending libraries will not grant renewals for overdue books. Any items not granted renewal must be returned by the due date or you will be subject to fines.

What kinds of materials are difficult or impossible to get?

Although we attempt to fulfill almost any request, the following types of materials are often difficult (or impossible) to obtain through Interlibrary Loan:

• Recently published books (less than 6 months old)
• Entire volumes or issues of periodicals
• Reference works
• Rare books or original manuscripts
• Audiobooks, videos, DVDs or computer software
• Some doctoral dissertations and masters theses
• Genealogy materials are extremely difficult to acquire, but we are usually able to obtain photocopies (30 page maximum)
• Some microfilm is available, but usually involves a lengthy wait due to limited availability

All Interlibrary Loan services are governed by the American Library Association Interlibrary Loan Code, national and regional agreements, and the Copyright Law (PL 94-553).

Contact

Interlibrary Loan McAllen Public Library 4001 N. 23rd St.  McAllen, TX 78504  interlibraryloan@mcallen.net Phone: (956) 681-3000  Fax: (956) 681-3009

Interlibrary Loan Lark Branch Library 2601 Lark Ave. McAllen, TX 78504 interlibraryloan@mcallen.net  Phone: (956) 681-3100  Fax: (956) 688-3346

Interlibrary Loan Palm View Branch Library 3401 Jordan Ave. McAllen, TX 78503 interlibraryloan@mcallen.net  Phone: (956) 681-3110  Fax: (956) 688-3366