The Bryan + College Station Public Library System participates in Interlibrary Loan services (ILL).
This service constitutes a partnership between this system and others across the nation to loan and/or
receive library materials not in our collection. This means that if a specific book or
journal/magazine is not listed in our library catalog, a patron has the privilege to request the
material through ILL. The library system will only accept requests for books and magazine/journal
articles. We do not request movies, music CDs, audio books, etc.
In order to request an item through ILL, a patron's account must be current and in good standing. No
items will be ordered or released if the account is not clear. If, for any reason, there is a problem
with the account, a librarian can assist the patron in resolving the problem.
A patron is asked to provide as much information as possible, which includes name, valid library card,
and telephone number. For books, supply the author, title and any publication information that will
assist library staff in ordering the book. If only a certain section of the book is desired, i.e., a
certain chapter or page range, indicate this information on the form. For articles, supply the author
and title, the title of the journal or magazine, the volume and issue number, or the date of the
issue, and the page numbers of the articles. The library will notify the patron if the requested item
cannot be ordered, if the form is missing pertinent information, if the lending library charges a fee
for the requested item, if the library receives the item, or if the item is overdue.
Normally, this service is free; however, some libraries request a nonrefundable fee to lend certain
titles. If this is the case, the ILL librarian will contact the patron about the cost of the item.
If the patron does not want to pay the fee, then the request will be cancelled and the patron may
request another item. If the patron decides to pay the given amount, the library will re-request the
item and a statement will be sent with the material. This adds to the amount of time needed to
deliver the item. When invoiced, the patron will pay the amount to the lending library and the ILL
staff will send the invoice and payment to the lending institution.
A library patron may have up to four active ILL requests at one time. Once a patron
returns a book or picks up a requested article, another request can be made. Note that it may take
anywhere from two weeks to two months or more to receive the requested item; it will depend on the
location of the lending library and the number of copies available. If the item is needed by a
certain date, provide this date on the "Date Needed By" blank.
Patrons are instructed to return the items on or before the due date posted on the due-date slip
located on the front cover of the book. Also, they are asked to return the book to the library from
which it was borrowed. If the book was "checked out" from the Clara B. Mounce Public Library return it
to the Clara B. Mounce Public Library Reference desk. Or if it was checked out at Larry J. Ringer
Library, return it there.
