interlibrary loan

Students, faculty, and staff can request books and articles for items that are not held in the CVA Library. The library staff determines other libraries throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin that would be able to fill the request. Generally an item will arrive within 3 to 5 working days, if the item is coming from a University of Minnesota Twin Cities library, but will take more days when coming from another library. If the item is coming from the University of Minnesota, it cannot be renewed.

For renewing items coming from other libraries, please contact the library staff for more information. An item must be returned promptly by the due date. Books are available for use for 2 to 12 weeks. Students are able to keep the photocopies of articles. The library staff will contact a student when an interlibrary loan book is available for pick-up. Photocopies are placed in a student's mailbox at the Summit building.

Frequently Asked Questions

What items can be requested through interlibrary loan?
How do I request an item?
How long will it take to get the item?
How am I notified about my request?
How long can I keep an interlibrary loan item?
How many requests may I submit?
Is there a fee for requesting an item?
Can I renew a book I got via interlibrary loan?
Are there overdue fines on interlibrary loan items?
What is a recall on a book?
What happens if I lose or damage an interlibrary loan item?
Have any more questions?

What items can be requested through interlibrary loan?

Books and journal articles are the most frequently requested items. However patrons can request other items such as DVDs, CDs, and other media material. Please keep in mind that not all items from another library can be requested on interlibrary loan. When in doubt, send in the request and we will let you know if we can or cannot obtain the item for you.

How do I request an item?

Patrons should fill out the ILL Request Form and give it to a librarian. The form can be dropped off at the Library or e-mailed to library@cva.edu. Please be sure that you have checked the CVA catalog (Alexandria) first before requesting a book and also the various CVA databases that may have full text articles. ILL Request forms are also available in the Library. If you don't have the form, just write out the information about the book or article you want on a piece of paper and leave with the library staff or send an e-mail with the information to the staff.

How long will it take to get the item?

If the item is available at a University of Minnesota library, we generally will receive the item within 3 -5 working days. If the item is coming from another library, generally it will arrive within 5 - 10 working days. If you are requesting a journal article, you can have the item send directly to you via e-mail as a scanned pdf. This option, known as MEDD, is noted on the ILL Request Form. Please note that the user is responsible for printing out the article and must view/print within a specific number of days.

How am I notified about my request?

If you have requested a book or media material, we will call you (or e-mail you if you prefer) to let you know that the item is available for pick up at the circulation desk in Library. If the item is a journal article we will place it in your mailbox at the Summit building.

How long can I keep an interlibrary loan item?

The length of time you can keep an item is set by the lending library. Generally this is from 2 to 12 weeks, often less for media items. We strong recommend that you come in for your item as soon as you are notified so that you have plenty of time to use it.

How many requests may I submit?

You may submit as many ILL requests as you want. However, not more than five of your requests will be processed in a single day unless other requests also submitted by other individuals have been completed.

Is there a fee for requesting an item?

No, there is no fee.

Can I renew a book I get via interlibrary loan?

Maybe. Not all books can be renewed. If the book is from the University of Minnesota, we cannot ask for a renewal. If the book has come from most other libraries, we may be able to renew it. The date due slip inserted into the book will have a note about the renewal of the item. Please note you must contact the library staff one week before the due date in order for us to request a renewal.

Are there overdue fines on interlibrary loan items?

Yes. You will be fined $0.50 per day for each day beyond the due date of the item. The CVA library does not accept cash for payment of overdue fines, rather we accept non-perishable food items. One such item will remove $10 in fines.

What is a recall on a book?

Ocassionally an item we have borrowed from another library may be recalled by the lending library. We will notify you that the book has been recalled and tell you the new due date, usually within a few days. We ask that you return the item as soon as possible as we must return it to the lending library.

What happens if I lose or damage an interlibrary loan item?

You are responsible for paying the replacement cost for a lost or damaged item. The replacement cost is determined by the lending library. Please contact the CVA Library immedaitely if you have lost or damaged an item.

Have any more questions?

Please contact the library staff for more information about Interlibrary loan.