Interlibrary Loan Services for Distance Learning
 What is Interlibrary Loan?Interlibrary Loan is a service that obtains research materials that the ORU Library does not own. Who qualifies for this service?Enrolled students, faculty, and staff of ORU may request Interlibrary Loan services when ORU does not own the desired material. What can be obtained through Interlibrary Loan?Books and copies of periodical articles are the primary requests, including copies of book pages. Some libraries loan dissertations. Most libraries will not loan reference items and whole issues of journals. Periodical articles are nonreturnable items; everything else would be returnable. Does this service cost anything?The initial fee per item is $2.00 for students and $1.00 for faculty. In addition, there is a postage charge to return each book, plus any other fee the loaning library charges. Fax charge is $3.00 per transaction. How long does Interlibrary Loan take?Some items arrive at ORU in two days; some items arrive in two weeks. The average time is one week. Location and availability are determining factors, so request items two weeks before needed. What information is required in order to request an Interlibrary Loan?A complete bibliographical description of an item (author, title, and date, plus volume number and pages for journal articles) is more likely to ensure success. Partial information will be accepted but delays the process. How many items may one person request?
Although there is no formal limit, please limit book requests to a manageable number, since they must be returned within two or three weeks. Additionally, copyright restrictions limit the proportion of a published item which can be copied. Five items may be faxed or rushed at one time. How is an Interlibrary Loan request made?
Requests may be submitted electronically via a Request Form for Distance Learner Library Materials or through forms available in the EBSCOHost and FirstSearch Databases. How does the requester know when the material arrives?Communication is by email or by phone. Items are then emailed, faxed, or mailed to the distance learner. Due dates.Please pay close attention to due dates, since material must be returned to the ORU Library and then returned to the loaning library. Is the loan period flexible?The due date is set by the lending library, and renewals are rare. If you must request an extension, contact the ORU Library before the due date on the label on the book. Fines are $1.00 per day overdue. Is Interlibrary Loan the only way to get library materials not owned by ORU?Often your local public library can obtain the materials faster than ORU can receive and forward through the mail. Also many colleges grant check-out privileges on a temporary basis. What should I do if I lose a book or damage it?The borrower must replace any library material that is damaged too much to be useful or which is lost. The minimum $50.00 fee covers a $10.00 processing fee plus a $40.00 minimum replacement fee. If the material costs more than $40.00 to replace, then the fee will be higher. How do I pay fees and overdue charges?Send the invoiced amount by personal check, money order, or cashier check made payable to the Oral Roberts University Library and send to: Distance Learner ServicesOral Roberts University Library 7777 South Lewis Avenue Tulsa, OK 74171. How do I return Interlibrary Loan materials?Place material in a cardboard container and return to the Distance Learner Services by insured mail. Materials may be returned in person to Jane Malcolm, Room 408C, Learning Resources Center. Please note that copies of journal articles do not have to be returned. Distance Learner Services Last Updated: August 7, 2006 |