InterLibrary Loan Policy

Interlibrary loan (ILL) is available for items not owned by the Ottawa Library, or owned by a library within the NEXT Search Catalog.

Article I - Requesting an ILL

ILL is only available to Ottawa Library patrons.

Patrons requesting an item through ILL must have an active account in good standing in accordance with the current circulation rules at the Ottawa Library, a recent circulation history (four to six items checked out and returned  within the most recent three to four months), cannot have overdue items, and cannot have more than $5 in fees associated with their account.  

Patrons are limited to seven active ILL requests at any given time.  This includes items Pending, In Process, Shipped, Received, and Renewal files.  This applies to all item formats (books, audiobooks, audio CDs, DVDs). Microfilm can only be acquired if the requested item is available for loan by the Kansas State Historical Society.  Microfilm is limited to two rolls at a time and cannot be brought in from out of state.

Article II - Check-out

The circulation rules, including loan periods and use of materials, are set by the lending library.  ILLs may be subject to recall by the lending library at any point.  Patrons will be held responsible for any charges incurred for damaged or lost items set by the lending library.  

Items must be picked up within seven days of patron notification and returned to the Ottawa Library by the date listed with the temporary ID card attached.  Patrons must have their library card to check out ILLs, just like with all items checked out from the Ottawa Library, and cannot check out an ILL item if there are overdue items on their account.  All ILL items must be returned to the Ottawa Library, not to another library in the NEXT Search Catalog. 

Microfilm must be used within the library; it cannot be taken out of the reference area.

Article III - Lost/Damaged Items:

Borrowed items must be returned in the condition in which they were received by the Ottawa Library.  Lost or damaged ILL materials are the responsibility of the applicable patron.  The patron will be responsible for the replacement of the items and any processing fees assigned by the lending library.

Article IV - Renewals:

Renewals are not standard in ILL procedure, but may be possible.  Patrons must contact the Ottawa Library at least three days before the item’s due date.  The lending library will be contacted, and a renewal will be requested.  The patron will be notified if the ILL renewal was extended.  Overdue items are not eligible for renewals.  Note: Videos and music CDs are usually not eligible for renewals.  

Article V - Exceptions

Items that cannot be ILLed: entire issues of magazines/journals, microfilm not owned by the Kansas State Historical Society, brand new/recently released items, reference items, ebooks, items owned within the NEXT Search Catalog, or video games.