Interlibrary Loan Policy

Interlibrary loan service expands access to library materials beyond the holdings of the Hancock County Public Library. Many Indiana libraries and libraries across the United States own resources which may be borrowed by the Hancock County Public Library when requested by eligible HCPL patrons. Interlibrary loan materials are those remotely owned items for which the customer has a particular need for a limited time. In turn, the Hancock County Public Library will loan materials to other Indiana libraries and libraries across the United States.

The Hancock County Public Library endorses the principles relating to interlibrary loan included in the Indiana Library Resource Sharing Policy, the American Library Association Interlibrary Loan Code, the U.S. Copyright Law and U.S. Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works Guidelines, and federal and state laws governing confidentiality of records. The Hancock County Public Library observes the provisions of individual libraries' lending policies, regional agreements, protocols and relevant federal and state laws.

1. Who may use interlibrary loan?
   Any patron with a current HCPL card may request ILL items. The library reserves the right to decline ILL service to patrons with excessive fines on their accounts.
2. What may be borrowed?
   Patrons may request print materials, audio-visual items, and microfilm. Some audio-visual titles may not be available for loan. Patrons may have up to five (5) active requests at any time. Exceptions may be made for research materials. We do not request items that we own or have on order. Lending libraries typically do not loan materials that have been published or purchased within the previous six months, genealogical materials, rare or unique items and recent audio-visual materials. Please use an in-house “Suggestion for Purchase” form or “I Need Material/Recommend for Purchase” in the online catalog if you are interested in a newly published title.
3. How to make an interlibrary loan request
   Patrons may fill out an interlibrary loan request in person at the information desk at the main library or the circulation desk at the Sugar Creek Branch, by calling the reference desk at (317) 462-5141, ext. 240, online through their accounts at “I Need Material Interlibrary Loan Request” in the Online Catalog, or at www.hcplibrary.org/reference/interlibrary.asp.
4. Timeframe for Interlibrary Loans
   It typically takes two to three weeks for in-state loans and up to 8 weeks for materials requested out of state.
5. Conditions of use and loan periods
   Loan Periods are set by the lending institution and may vary. Exact due dates will be noted on the front of each item and will be reflected on the check-out receipt. We also honor all conditions-of-use placed by the lending institution. Renewals are not available at this time.

Interlibrary Loan Costs to Patrons

1. No charge
   In-state loans are free if items are checked out and returned by the indicated due date.
2. Non-use fee
   If an item is not picked up by the due date, it will be returned to the lending library and a $1.00 non-use fee will be assessed to the requesting patron's card. No fee will be assessed if the item arrives after the "needed by" date. Out-of-state loan postage fees will also be assessed if the item is not used. Patrons are responsible for providing a current, accurate avenue of contact (e-mail address or telephone number).
3. Return postage
   Postage costs will be assessed for out-of-state loans, payable upon receipt of the requested item (currently $2.00-$5.00 depending on the weight of the item). Borrowers may indicate on the request form that they are not willing to pay postage. In that case, the request will only go out to Indiana libraries.
4. Overdue fines
   Each ILL item is subject to a $.25 per day late fee.
5. Lost or damaged
   Lost fees will be assessed by the lending library. Patrons will be billed for damage to ILL items plus a $5.00 processing fee. Items more than 4 weeks overdue will be billed as lost. We may suspend ILL privileges of any patron who does not return ILL items we have obtained for them until all associated fees have been paid.
6. Patron Notification
   Patrons will be notified when their requests become available. Patrons must provide a current phone number or e-mail address (preferred). If the staff cannot reach the patron by phone or e-mail, a postcard notification will be mailed. If a request cannot be filled, the patron will be notified by e-mail or postcard.
7. Interlibrary loan in a privilege, not a right
   HCPL reserves its right to suspend ILL borrowing for any individual who has abused the privilege.

Lending of HCPL Materials to Other Institutions

Interlibrary loan service expands access to library materials beyond the Hancock County Public Library to Indiana libraries and libraries across the United States when requested by eligible patrons. Interlibrary loan materials are those remotely owned items for which the customer has a particular need for a limited time. The Hancock County Public Library endorses the principles relating to interlibrary loan included in the Indiana Library Resource Sharing Policy, the American Library Association Interlibrary Loan Code, the U.S. Copyright Law and U.S. Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works Guidelines, and federal and state laws governing confidentiality of records. The Hancock County Public Library observes the provisions of regional agreements, protocols and relevant federal and state laws.

1. Eligible borrowers
   Requests are accepted from Indiana Libraries (initially), LVIS later. Hancock County Public Library is not lending internationally at this time.
2. Available materials
   We are willing to make available to other lending institutions normally circulating materials in our collections except genealogical records, reference books, rare or unique items, serials, kits, books on CD, DVDs or recently purchased items (6 months or newer). Videos (VHS), music CDs and audio books on cassette/CD are available. Patrons requesting genealogical or local history materials should contact the information desk at (317) 462-5141, ext. 240, or at reference@hcplibrary.org.
3. Delivery of materials
   In-state loans will be transported via the Indiana State Library-sponsored courier service to participating libraries. Out-of-state recipients' loans will be sent via the US postal system (book rate). Return postage is the responsibility of the borrowing institution.
4. Lost items
   Cost plus a $5.00 processing fee will be billed to the borrowing institution on any item not returned within 4 weeks of the due date.
5. Photocopies
   Magazines, journals, and newspapers are not loaned on ILL, but photocopies may be available for $.10 charge per page.
6. Loan period
   The loan period ends five weeks from the shipping date. Renewal is not available at this time.
7. Lending charges
   As a reciprocal borrower, we will only charge what the lending library charges.

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