LaMarque Public Library
InterLibrary Loan Policy  

The La Marque Public Library believes that sharing of material between libraries is an important element in providing library services. The purpose of Inter-library Loan (ILL) is to expand the range and scope of materials available to library patrons. The Library requests items through the Major Resource Center, which can perform searches nation-wide.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements for Inter-library loan:
1. Current LaMarque Public Library card.
2. No overdue items.
3. No fines or other charges.

Materials Borrowed

The La Marque Public Library will request books, educational videos and DVDs and photocopies. However, the lending libraries determine what they will send and if they will make photocopies of requested materials. A lending library stipulating “in Library use only” indicates items must be used in the La Marque Public Library. Items must have a publication date at least 3 months (any lending library will fulfill the needs of its own patrons before it will lend newer materials). Patrons are limited to 6 Inter-library Loan requests at one time.

Requests / Notification / Returns

All Inter-library loan requests should be sent to the Library’s Director, Reference Librarian or Children’s Librarian (if a juvenile title). Items may be ordered in person, by phone or via e-mail. Items are ordered within 24 hours of request. Delivery time of loan materials may vary. A repeat or denied request can be resubmitted, but only after 3 months from the original request date. Patrons will be notified via phone, e-mail or postcard on the same day requested material arrives. Items borrowed through interlibrary loan must be returned to LaMarque Public Library full-time staff (preferably to the Reference Librarian or Library Director), not to the lending library nor to the LMPL exterior book drop.
Pick-Ups
Inter-library loan items must be picked-up at the front desk. Patrons must present their La Marque Public Library card to staff and sign the Inter-library loan form before patron may have the item.
Due Dates/Renewals
The library lending the material sets the due date, and loan periods can vary greatly. Lending libraries determine both due dates and renewal policies for their items. Lending library is the proprietary library, not the La Marque Public Library. The lending library reserves the right to recall an item at any time and patrons are expected to return materials once notified.

Overdue / Lost / Damaged Material

The La Marque Public Library charges $1.00 a day for any late ILL item (excluding days the Library is closed). There is no maximum fine on ILL items; fines continue until patron returns the overdue item(s) or makes full payment for item(s) and fines. The lending library determines any fees and costs associated with a lost or damaged item. The patron is responsible for all late fees and costs of lost and damaged items from the lending library. The La Marque Public Library does not set these fees. The La Marque Public Library does not accept materials from patrons to replace lost or damaged items.