What is interlibrary loan?
Saskatchewan libraries share their resources with each other by making many materials available for interlibrary loan. Interlibrary loan also makes it possible for Saskatchewan libraries to obtain materials from out-of-province or out-of-country libraries. Interlibrary loan practices in Saskatchewan public libraries are guided by the document Saskatchewan Resource Sharing.
What conditions apply to ILL in Saskatchewan?
The borrowing library and its users must comply with the conditions of loan established by the lending library. It is the responsibility of the borrowing library to inform the lending library if an extended loan period is required, to account for lengthy delivery times in remote areas and if an item should be shipped directly to a patron in areas requiring lengthy delivery times. It is the responsibility of the borrowing library to avoid any action where damage to the original material would result. Comprehensive information about Saskatchewan ILL policy and resource sharing can be found in Saskatchewan Resource Sharing and Materials Available on ILL.
What is the overdue fine on an ILL item?
Overdue fines are determined by the lending library that the loan originated with.
Who may use ILL?
This will be determined by the interlibrary loan policy of the local library.
Are there fees for ILL?
Borrowing libraries are responsible for all photocopy and microform charges and are to indicate a maximum amount they are willing to pay on the request. Provincial Library will not handle requests stating amounts less than $5.00 and current costs are in the $10.00 to $20.00 range. For the purpose of properly advising their patron, borrowing libraries will keep themselves informed about current amounts being charged by lending libraries. The borrowing library may recover costs from their patrons. Where applicable under the Public Libraries Act, Provincial Library pays interlibrary loan lending fees it requests on behalf of borrowing public libraries.
The safety of borrowed materials is the responsibility of the borrowing library from the time the material leaves the lending library until it is received back. The borrowing library is responsible for packaging the material so as to ensure its return in good condition. If damage or loss occurs, the borrowing library must meet all costs of repair or replacement, in accordance with the policies of the lending library. This can result in the lending library not willing to lend additional material to the library because these materials are often not replaceable.
What information should I submit on an ILL request for genealogical materials?
Libraries frequently receive requests for genealogical materials that do not contain sufficient information. As a result, either the request cannot be filled or it takes much longer than usual to fill the request. All ILL requests for genealogical materials must include:
Title (e.g. District Marriage Registers, 1801-1858-RG 80-27-1, Appendix A18. Johnstown District, Volume 14A Registrations 1804-1896)
Author (if applicable)
All relevant numbers for identifying the item, such as microfilm reel numbers (e.g. MS 248 Reel 3, G.S. of U.M. Reference 1030053)
Publisher of material (if applicable)
Publication date (if applicable)
Source of information (e.g. Archives of Ontario web site:
http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/
Written indication of whether your patron is willing to accept a photocopy of the material if the library will not loan the item. This must include indication of how much you are willing to pay, and a description of what the patron is looking for so that applicable sections of the item can be checked and photocopied (e.g. want information on Archibald Smith).
Note that many libraries will not lend older genealogical materials, such as local histories, but they are willing to photocopy a section for you if you specify what the patron is looking for and that you are willing to pay for photocopies. Sometimes there are no photocopy charges but this is not always known immediately. Fees often range from $10.00 to $20.00. Because of this, Provincial Library will not handle requests stating amounts less than $5.00.
Can I request local histories and other older genealogical materials on ILL?
Some libraries will not lend local histories or old genealogical materials. Therefore, you should always ask your client if he/she is willing to accept a photocopy. In your ILL request, provide the maximum fee you will pay and provide a description of the information they need checked in the resource and photocopied. For example, "want information on Albert Johnson. Will accept a photocopy. Willing to pay $___."
What information do I include in an ILL request for microforms?
Provincial Library recommends that library systems send requests for microform, where the patron has supplied a complete citation and lending location, directly to the lending library. This is recommended especially if the patron identifies the National Archives of Canada (OOA) of the Ontario Archives (OTAR) as the location of the microform. This ensures faster service for the patrons and less work for the system ILL staff.
Are materials on collectibles and antiques available on ILL?
Encyclopaedias, price guides and catalogues for collectibles and antiques are often not available for interlibrary loan. Provincial Library recommends that your system consider this title's purchase instead of sending a request for possible out-of-province loan.
What do I tell the patron if I cannot identify any lending locations for their ILL request?
For certain types of materials, such as genealogy, Provincial Library staff find over 20 locations, but cannot identify a single lending location after a limited search.
This information may be useful to the patron. Many genealogists are willing to travel to consult materials, or the patron may want to check all the catalogues of libraries to see if there is a library that is willing to lend and resubmit the request with that information.
If "Will accept location information" is given as a note on the initial request Provincial Library will send back this information if it does not send the request to an out-of-province library. Use the Library and Archives Canada. ILL Directory on the Web: Search Page to identify and locate locations marked AMICUS. Use Links to OCLC Library web sites for locations marked OCLC.
How do Saskatchewan library staff get help with Interlibrary Loans?
Public library branch staff should contact their headquarters for assistance. Headquarters staff may send an email to mailto:srp.ill@gov.sk.ca
