Interlibrary Loan Policy

Interlibrary loan service (ILL) 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 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 have up to ten (10) active requests at any time. If a patron has agreed to borrow an item(s) from an institution that assesses a fee, the patron is responsible for paying that fee, regardless if the item(s) is picked up or not.
3. How to make an interlibrary loan request
   Patrons may fill out an interlibrary loan request in person at the Information Desk at the Central Library or the Circulation Desk at the Branch, by calling the Information Desk at (317) 462-5141, ext. 240, or online at hcplibrary.org/reference/ask_materials.php.

Interlibrary Loan Costs to Patrons

1. Charges
   In-state loans are free if items are checked out and returned by the indicated due date. Items will be held for 7 days for pickup before being returned to loaning library. If a patron has agreed to borrow an item(s), from an institution that assesses a fee, the patron is responsible for paying that fee, regardless if the item(s) is picked up or not.
2. Return Postage
   Postage costs will be assessed for out-of-state loans, payable upon receipt of the requested item (currently a $4.00 flat fee). Out of state postage will still be assessed for items not picked up.
3. Overdue Fines
   Each ILL item is subject to a $0.25 per day late fee.
4. Lost or Damaged
   Lost fees will be assessed by the lending library. Patrons will be billed for damage to ILL items. A processing fee will be applied if applicable. 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.
5. Interlibrary loan is 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 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 United States libraries.
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, videogames, electronic resources or recently purchased items (6 months or newer).
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
   The replacement cost will be billed to the borrowing institution on any item not returned within 4 weeks of the due date.
5. Loan period
   The loan period ends five weeks from the shipping date. Renewals are possible if no one is waiting for the item.

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