JoCoLibrary

What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

The Johnson County Library Interlibrary Loan Department serves patrons by borrowing books and audio/visual materials, in addition to obtaining photocopies of articles not owned by Johnson County Library (JCL). Through Interlibrary Loan, Johnson County Library patrons have access to library resources from across the nation.

Who may request an Interlibrary Loan?

Patrons with a valid Johnson County Library or Olathe Public Library card in good standing are qualified to use this service.

What may be requested on Interlibrary Loan?

• Library materials not owned by the Johnson County Library or Olathe Public Library.
• Audio/visual materials such as videos, CDs, CD-ROMs, audiocassettes and LPs.
  NOTE: Large Print books and foreign language materials may be requested.
• Photocopies of periodical articles not available at Johnson County Library.
• Census records and newspapers on microfilm.
  NOTE: All microfilm/microfiche must be picked up, viewed, and copied at the Central Resource Library.
• New books not already on order by Johnson County Library.*

*Requests for new books will be forwarded to the Library's Collections Department for consideration for purchase. If not purchased, an interlibrary loan request will be made.

What may not be requested on Interlibrary Loan?

• Reference or non-circulating materials (including Genealogy) owned by Johnson County Library.
• A complete issue of a periodical or newspaper (some complete newspapers can be requested on microfilm).
• E-books
• PlayStation, Xbox, and Wii video games
• Any materials needed in less than 2 weeks

How do I request an Interlibrary Loan?

Before submitting a request, please check for the item’s availability in the library catalog. If item is not found in the catalog, click on “Interlibrary Loan“ at the top of the catalog screen. First, you will be asked to create an ILL Account. After creating your ILL Account, there are several options for making requests:

• Find the item in WorldCat and make a request by clicking on “Borrow this item (ILL)” (recommended)
• Fill out an online request form
• Come in to any Johnson County Library location and make a request
• Call (913) 495-9100 and ask staff for assistance with making a request

What information is needed to request an Interlibrary Loan?

Books and Audio/Visual loans: Provide as much information as possible for the item you want to borrow: title and author; including publication date, format. Please add any additional information or instruction (e.g. edition, language, unabridged version, etc.) in the notes field on the request. You must select a pick-up location and the item format (book, videocassette, etc.).

Photocopy of Articles: Please provide as much information as possible: Periodical (or journal) title; article author and article title; volume and issue number; date of publication; article page numbers, and maximum amount you are willing to pay for cases when the Library is unable to obtain your copy at no cost.

Is security a problem if I use a public workstation?

Yes. Web browsers cache information and create a history file on the local workstation. This allows a subsequent user of the workstation to access the system under your name using the browser's Back button to recall a page from the cache, or by finding a page with your personal information in the browser's history file. If you are concerned about the security of your interlibrary loan requests, you can take the following steps:

1. Access Your ILL Account only from your personal computer or an otherwise secure workstation.
2. Access Your ILL Account from a public workstation in the library. These computers are supervised by the library staff.
3. When using a public access workstation:
• Delete from the history file those pages that contain your personal information.
• Exit from the Web browser before you leave the workstation. This prevents the Back button from accessing the pages you were using.

How much does it cost?

In most cases, there is no charge for Interlibrary Loan materials. However, charges may occur with some request. Please indicate on your request the maximum amount you are willing to pay to borrow the requested item.

Charges will be added to your library card account only when the materials have arrived for you.

How do copyright regulations apply?

Periodical article requests must comply with federal copyright law and regulations (Title 17 of the U.S. Code)

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 “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 copyright law.

Is there a limit to how many requests I may place?

There is a limit of 15 active requests per patron. Check your ILL account to track your active requests. Please note that there will be a short delay from when you return the ILL item to the library and when it is returned to the owning library. Please be sure to keep all paperwork with the ILL item. This will help expedite the return process.

Why does my browser say that you're sending a cookie? What's in it?

The Active Server Pages technology that we use to provide live reporting for the web sends a Session ID to be stored on your machine. You can refuse this cookie and still be able to use the ILL web pages and Your ILL Account without any problems.

How long does it take to get materials?

Please allow two to six weeks for receipt of materials. In the event that the library cannot get the item you requested, you will be notified.

What if I need the material before a certain date?

If you need to receive material before a specific date, enter the date in the “Not Wanted After Date” section on the request form. This is the date when Interlibrary Loan staff and computer systems will stop searching for the material.

A deadline date does not get materials here any faster, as all requests are processed as soon as possible. Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks to get materials from outside the Library system. If you do not specify a deadline date, staff will continue searching until the request is filled, or a thorough search is completed.

How will I be notified about this request?

• You will be notified by phone, mail or e-mail when your item arrives and is ready to be picked up at the Johnson County Library location of your choice. It will be held for seven days from the date of the notice.
• Once the requested item is received in the ILL Department, it will be added to your library account with a hold. The hold will be removed once the item arrives at your pick-up library location, upon which you will receive your notice.
• Photocopies will be mailed to your postal address.
• You will be notified by mail or email if the request is cancelled or cannot be filled after a thorough search.

How long will I have to use this material?

• Photocopies are yours to keep.
• Loan periods are determined by the lending library. ILL items cannot be renewed.
• Loan periods range from one to four weeks from the date the material is received by the Johnson County Library.
• Some materials may not be checked out and are restricted for use in the Central Resource Library only.
• Materials that are in fragile condition or more than 100 years old will be restricted to use only in the Central Resource Library.

Is it possible to renew Interlibrary Loan materials?

It is not possible to renew Interlibrary Loan materials.

Where do I return the materials?

Interlibrary loan materials may be returned at any Johnson County Library location. Please return your interlibrary loan materials promptly, so that we can insure future borrowing privileges from the lending libraries.

REMINDER: Please keep the white informational band around the item. If removed, the material may not be recorded as returned and will appear as still charged out on your library account.

What about special types of materials?

Dissertations and theses:
Some Ph.D. dissertations and Master's theses are available for loan, so it is worth a try to request, as we won't know until requested.

ERIC Documents
Many, but not all, ERIC documents have been distributed in microfiche format. The Johnson County Library has some in the U.S. Government Documents Collection, and each is cataloged in the Library's catalog.
The Johnson County Community College Library has an extensive collection of the "ED" ERIC citations and will loan these for special use "In-Library Use Only" for one week.
Any "EJ" ERIC citations are of periodical articles and can be requested as a regular photocopy request.

Census materials:
Microfilm of older Kansas state census records (more than 72 years old) and the Soundex index for older U.S. censuses are available through Interlibrary Loan.
Complete the "ILL Census Microfilm Request" postcard.

Newspapers on microfilm:
It is possible to borrow microfilm of many newspapers through Interlibrary Loan. Frequently there is a charge and a limit as to the number of reels available at one time. Requests for Kansas newspapers can take several months, because of the low overall limit on reels the Library can borrow at one time (6).
Complete the "ILL Newspaper Microfilm Request" postcard.

Genealogy materials:
There are a few libraries that loan genealogical materials. When requesting, please state specific information wanted, as a library might provide a photocopy of that section.

Can I request an ILL item immediately after obtaining a library card?

You can make an ILL request the same day that you obtain a library card, but not using the online request forms. To make a request the same day you obtain a library card, ask library staff for assistance in the library or by phone at (913) 495-2400. Your account information will be updated the next day after you obtain your card and you can request using the online tools available at www.jocolibrary.org/interlibraryloan.

I changed my address. Who do I notify?

Contact us with your new address. Please have your library card ready. Your new address will be reflected on your ILL Account the same day. When you come to pick up your ILL item, please bring with you some identification that can verify your new address and account information. Suggested forms of identification include: a driver's license, checkbook with current address, or other identification showing your current address.

What if I lose my library card and get a new one? Does this affect my ILL Account?

When you get a new library card number, all the information on your ILL Account will match your new card at Noon the next business day after you get your new card. Before then, log in to your ILL Account with your old card number and PIN. After that, please use your new card number and PIN.

My request status is “Check My Account,” but I don't see it on my library card account yet. Where is the request?

The request status changes to “Check My Account” when it is received in the Interlibrary Loan Department. There may a bit of lag time before the item is shown in your library card account and it is available at your neighborhood library for pick-up. The notice to pick up the item should arrive soon.

I returned an ILL item but it is still showing on my ILL Account. Have you received it?

It can take some time for returns to arrive at the Interlibrary Loan Department from your neighborhood library. The request will continue to show until it is removed from your account by the Interlibrary Loan Department. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

What is an “active” request?

A request is active from the time it is submitted by/for the patron until the requested item is marked returned in the ILL Department. Items can be discharged from your library account and still be active on your ILL account due to travel time between your neighborhood library and the Interlibrary Loan Department.

Do you need further information?

For additional information, please contact us.