Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Services
Books
Books not available through the Library Catalog can often be borrowed from another library. Requests can be placed in the following ways:
- Search for and then request the item from WorldCat (3-7 day delivery time; 4-week loan period); look for the “Request via ILL” link on the item record to submit
- Book requests can also be submitted directly to Interlibrary Loan (3-7 day delivery time; 4-week loan period); log in and choose the “Book” option under the “New Request” menu
Journal Articles and Book Chapters
Requests for articles published in journals not currently owned by Skidmore, or from a particular issue not currently available, can be placed in two ways:
- Fill out an article request directly in Interlibrary Loan with the full citation information (1-3 day delivery time in PDF format); log in and choose the “Article” option under the “New Request” menu
- Submit a request from within many of the Library’s research databases via the linkfinder link found in the article record (1-3 day delivery time in PDF format)
- If a book chapter is needed, submit the request as you would an article request (1-3 day delivery time, usually in PDF format)
Document Delivery – Hoge Building
To access microfilm, microfiche, or journals marked with location “Hoge,” the Library’s on-campus storage facility, submit an Interlibrary Loan request (24 hour delivery time on weekdays). Book requests can be submitted directly through the Library Catalog by clicking on the “Hoge Building Requests” link located to the right in an item record.
Please visit our Hoge Building page for more information on off-site document storage.
Interlibrary Loan Office
phone: (518) 580-5520
fax: (518) 580-5540
Scribner Library 211
Monday-Friday: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Sandra Brown
(518) 580-5543
Interlibrary Loan Coordinator
Policies and Procedures
The Interlibrary Loan Department will process requests submitted by libraries via ILLiad, OCLC, and CDLC, ALA, IFLA forms. Such forms may be sent through the local courier service, LAND, or faxed to 518-580-5540. Libraries without OCLC or ILLiad can expedite requests through our lending request form. Our loan period for returnable items is four weeks, with the possibility to renew for an additional two weeks. We do not lend audio-visual materials, print periodicals, and items in our reference and special collections. We do not charge CDLC, LVIS, or existing reciprocal libraries for lent items. All other institutions will be charged $30 by invoice or IFM. For additional lending information, please contact Sandra Brown at (518) 580-5543.
Services
The Interlibrary Loan Office obtains from other libraries and commercial suppliers, books, articles, and other materials not available in the Lucy Scribner Library. The conditions of this service are set by local agreements, the regulations of the individual lending libraries, and the national Interlibrary Loan Code.
Users
Interlibrary Loan service is offered only to Skidmore College students, current and retired faculty, and current staff who have a Skidmore College email account. Unfortunately, this service is not available to those community members auditing classes.
The Following Materials are Generally Unavailable
The lending library determines which materials may or may not be loaned to Skidmore. The most frequently obtained materials are books and journal articles. The following items are generally unavailable:
- Reference materials
- Entire volumes of periodicals
- Rare books
- VHS & DVDs
- CDs
- Bulky or fragile items
- In addition, many libraries do not lend microfilm/microfiche materials, dissertations, or theses.
If you need assistance determining whether or not Skidmore already owns an item that you need, please Ask Us before moving forward with an interlibrary loan request.
Turnaround Time
Planning ahead is necessary when using interlibrary loan. Article requests usually arrive in 1 to 2 days. Returnable material requests, including books and DVDs, can take 4 to 8 days.
In an emergency, please call the Interlibrary Loan Office at (518) 580-5520 or come to see us in Room 211, and we will do our best to help you.
Returns, Renewals, Overdues & Lost Items
Returns
Items received via interlibrary loan may be returned to the Circulation Desk or to the Interlibrary Loan office, room 211 on the 2nd floor of the Scribner Library.
Renewals
Renewal requests may be placed online via your Interlibrary Loan account. Renewals may be placed 14 days prior to the due date until 2 days past the due date. The Interlibrary Loan staff may also submit renewals on your behalf. Please call (518) 580-5520 or email illdesk@skidmore.edu for assistance.
Overdues
When an item exceeds the loan period, you will receive an email notification. The overdue status cannot extend to the point where it affects Skidmore’s ability to borrow material, and students with excessive overdue fines may be prevented from placing future requests until all items are returned and fines are paid.
Lost Items
You are responsible for any lost materials. In such instances, the lending library determines the replacement charge, which usually includes a $20 to $30 processing fee. If you are a student, you will be billed directly or the amount will be added to your semester tuition bill. If the replacement isn’t settled, parents may be notified and your graduation may be affected. Faculty members will be billed directly. If they wish the department to cover the cost of the lost item, they must obtain their department chair’s permission and signature on the bill and return it to our office.