Interlibrary Loan Policy
Contact information
Interlibrary Loan Coordinator: Barbara Hickok
(603) 645-9605 x2158
Who may use Interlibrary Loan?
Faculty, staff and currently registered students of Southern New Hampshire University are eligible to use interlibrary loan services.
Off-campus Interlibrary Loan book service is limited to off-campus SNHU students, faculty and staff who have registered with the Shapiro Library. Books will not be shipped to addresses outside the U.S. (see Off-Campus Services web page for groups defined with off-campus status).
What materials are available through Interlibrary Loan?
Books and photocopies of non-circulating materials, primarily periodicals, may be requested. The following materials will not normally be leant by owning libraries: reference books, dissertations, rare or valuable materials such as manuscripts; bound periodical volumes; audiovisual material; printed newspapers; materials for class, reserve, or group use. Books owned by this library that are currently in use will not be ordered through interlibrary loan and may be requested by placing a hold in the online library catalog. Please contact us if you have questions regarding the availability of specific items.
How long will it take to receive the material I need?
All requests are handled promptly in the order in which they are received. Most material is received by the Shapiro Library within three to seven business days. For speedy service, be sure that you supply accurate and complete citation information for the items you request. You will be notified if there is a foreseeable problem or delay with your order. Off-Campus students need to plan approximately 10 to 16 days in advance to access books through Interlibrary Loan.
How do I request books or photocopies not owned by Shapiro Library?
Use the interlibrary loan request form. Full author, title and publication year information is needed for books, and a complete citation that includes volume, issue and/or date is needed for journal articles. Incomplete or incorrect information will delay your order. You may also contact the ILL department directly at b.hickok@snhu.edu. Telephone requests will not be accepted.
Off-Campus students should include the following message in the “Note” field or box: “I am an Off-Campus Student.”
How will I know when my order has arrived?
Notification of the arrival of interlibrary loan material is made by phone or electronic mail. Please contact the ILL department if you wish to check on the status of an order.
Where do I pick up my order?
After receiving notification of your order’s arrival you may obtain the material at the Circulation Desk. Please be prepared to provide your campus ID card as well as the title of your book or journal article. Material that is not picked up promptly will be returned to the lending library.
Off-Campus Students will have interlibrary loan books shipped directly to their home address. The Shapiro Library will pay for outgoing postage.
How long is the borrowing period?
The loan period is determined by the lending library. You will be asked to return books before the date specified by the lending library to allow for processing and shipping time. Please make any renewal requests one week before the book is due. Renewals may be requested once, and are dependent upon the lending library policy. No renewal requests will be made for overdue books. Photocopies of articles may be kept.
What is a borrowing restriction or book recall?
The lending library reserves the right to recall their book(s) at any time. If the ILL book you have borrowed is recalled it must be returned immediately. In addition, lending libraries occasionally restrict the use of their books. An “in-house” restriction indicates that the book may only be used within Shapiro Library.
Where do I return Interlibrary Loan materials?
Books should be returned to the Circulation Desk at Shapiro Library. Late returns jeopardize our relationship with lending libraries. Late books are subject to fines at the discretion of the lending library. Lost books will incur sizeable replacement and handling charges by the lending library. Shapiro Library borrowing privileges may be revoked for patrons who abuse interlibrary loan policies.
Off-Campus students are responsible for paying return postage to the Shapiro Library. Books should be returned in their original packaging using the library’s pre-addressed return mailing label.
NOTICE: WARNING CONCERNING COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.
Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement.
This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.