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Interlibrary Loan:
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can use this service?
We provide this service to all CMU faculty, staff, and registered students.
What are your hours?
Our service desk is open from 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. During other hours, please ask for assistance at the Reference Desk.
Who should I contact if I have a problem or question?
Contact staff members in the Interlibrary Loan Office between 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday. During other hours, Reference Desk staff will be able to assist with some questions and problems. If they are unable to be of assistance, they will advise you to contact the Interlibrary Loan Office during normal
business hours.
How do I request material from Interlibrary Loan?
Orders can be placed in three ways:
- Select "Request Materials" from the Interlibrary Loan Home Page.
- Some databases transfer orders directly to the Interlibrary Loan Office (see Reference Department Staff for details).
- Orders may be sent by e-mail to "Docreq@cmich.edu". Send only one order per e-mail message.
Where will my material come from?
The sources from which your material is requested are selected on the basis of several factors, including your time frame, the type of material being requested, the speed of response, and reliability of the source. We determine which source is the best for each order.
Will it help if I tell Interlibrary Loan what other library owns the item that I am looking for?
A combination of factors determine the source we will use to fill your order. National and international interlibrary loan regulations and special agreements with other libraries are among these factors. Our desire to select the source that will respond to our requests in the shortest period of time is a primary consideration. We will consider your suggestions but will make the final decision on what source to use.
What information do I need to make a request?
It is important that you complete all areas of the electronic order forms. Failure to provide information may cause a delay in the processing of your order.
When will my material arrive?
We select sources that will respond to our requests in the shortest period of time. Depending on a combination of factors including your time frame and the kind of material you are requesting, your material may arrive in the Interlibrary Loan Office in as little as 48 hours or in a few weeks. Most orders are filled within two weeks.
It's important to remember that, once the request has gone out of our office, the supplier of the material determines how quickly it will get here. The supplier also sets the loan period and may set special conditions on the use of the material.
How will I know when my material has arrived?
We send you a notification when your book or microfilm is here. Photocopies can be mailed to you or sent to you electronically. Please let us know which method you prefer. Remember to bring your CMU ID card with you to check out circulating books.
What is the duration of a loan period and are there restrictions on the use of materials?
The supplier sets the loan period and may set special conditions on the use of the material.
Are there any limitations on what can be requested?
Recently published books, books more than 80 years old, and videos are often difficult to obtain. Genealogical materials, non-print materials (records, etc.) and reference materials (dictionaries, directories, encyclopedias, etc.) are generally not available through this service. Conference proceedings and association publications may be difficult to locate.
Are there any charges for this service?
Generally, charges are not passed along to the users of this service even though our library pays many fees for the loaned or photocopied material we obtain. If you request census microfilm, a rental fee is charged to you. If you request a dissertation/thesis, you may be asked to pay a fee. Interlibrary Loan will inform you before any charges are imposed.
If you keep material past the return date, an overdue fee of $5.00 is charged. If an item is lost, the cost of the item and an $8.00 processing fee is charged to you.
Go back to the Interlibrary Loan Home Page.
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