Borrowing Rules
Purpose of Interlibrary Loan
To obtain for Massanutten Regional Library (MRL) patrons materials not owned by the MRL system.

Eligibility and Limits on Interlibrary Loan Borrowing
Because Interlibrary Loan involves items owned by institutions other than MRL, and because of the labor the service requires, certain restrictions and limits apply to Interlibrary Loan borrowing.

Interlibrary Loan service is available to MRL cardholders as long as they are in good standing with the Library (have no pending fines, no delinquent items, and no more than three claimed-returned items), and have a permanent, verifiable address and phone number.

Any patron may have only five active requests at any one time. Active requests include both items currently on loan and items currently being searched for.

Patrons who repeatedly ignore Interlibrary Loan rules (for instance return ILL items damaged or consistently late) will not be eligible for ILL borrowing.

Materials Offered 
Patrons may request books, DVDs, audiobooks, music CDs, microfilm reels, and copies of articles through ILL.

If you are requesting a journal or newspaper article, please include as much information as possible within the “Additional Information” field of the request form.  This should include:

• Journal title
• Journal issue number and/or volume
• Date of publication
• Page numbers

Materials Not Offered
Some items are unavailable for request through ILL. These include:

• New items (published within the last year)
• Reference material
• High demand items
• Items owned by MRL

Costs

• Books, DVDs, audio books, music CDs – cost of one way postage
• Photocopies of articles – $.25 (free to email)
• Microfilm – first class postage plus insurance
• Genealogy items – first class postage plus insurance

Once charges have been incurred on a patron’s behalf, the patron is responsible for charges up to the amount he or she has agreed to even if the item is not picked up. Some libraries may charge additional fees but we will never charge you additional fees without asking first.  If you have questions, please contact our ILL department at 540-434-4475 ext. 110. MRL accepts cash, check or credit card for payment.

Overdue Fines and Replacement Costs
There are no fines for overdue items, however consistent delinquently in returning items will result in loss of ILL privileges. Replacement costs for damaged or lost items are determined by the lending institution, and may amount to many times the actual value of the item. 

Loan Periods, Renewal of Items, and Restrictions on Use
Loan periods and renewal options are determined by the lending institution. Moreover, a lender may recall an item at any time. Some libraries do not allow renewals, or require that items be used only within the library. The loan period, lending restrictions, and other pertinent information are indicated on the paperwork attached to the Interlibrary Loan item.

Renewals, which are solely at the discretion of the lending institution (not MRL), cannot be guaranteed. Requests for renewal must be made prior to five days before an item’s due date.

Notification of Patrons
Information regarding the arrival of items, approval or disapproval of renewal requests, overdues and recalls, unfilled requests, and any other pertinent matters will be communicated to the patron by phone or email.

How to make a Request
Patrons may submit the request form below or call our ILL Department at 540.434.4475 x 110.

They may also give their request to a MRL staff member at any public service desks in any of our branches in person or over the phone.  They will need to provide their name, phone number and library card information. 

Timing to fulfill a request varies based on lending libraries.

Delivery & Use of Request
Non circulating items and microfilm must be paid for and picked up at Reference Desk of the Central Branch of MRL in Harrisonburg. These can only be used at this branch and may not leave the building. All attached ILL labels, covers, stickers, etc., must remain affixed to items.  Only the individual who requested the ILL will be allowed to pick it up.

Circulating items will be sent to the branch requested by patron and can be paid for and picked up at the circulation desk of the specified branch.  Items must be returned to a circulation desk, not in a book drop.  All attached ILL labels, covers, stickers, etc., must be affixed to returned items.  Only the individual card holder who requested the ILL or authorized user will be allowed to pick it up.

Interlibrary Loan Request