Interlibrary loan is the practice of borrowing materials from other institutions to supplement our own library collection. With the majority of employees working from home, the library has seen an increase in both interlibrary loan requests, and interlibrary loan fulfillment times. Patrons can request materials through interlibrary loan by filling out the interlibrary loan form here: https://libguides.anl.gov/c.php?g=943595&p=6819465, or by sending a message to librarians@anl.gov. There is a $20.00 per item fee for interlibrary loan materials, so be sure to include a cost code with the request.
When placing an interlibrary loan request, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Like the Argonne Research Library, most other academic libraries are functioning with severely reduced staff on-site. This means that wait times, particularly for print books and journal articles, have increased dramatically. This also means that many academic libraries refuse to lend print material outright, making it very difficult to acquire.
Print materials that are received at the Argonne Research Library are quarantined for 72 hours before being released to the patron. Similarly, print materials being returned by the patron are quarantined for 72 hours before being returned the lending institution. It is important to return any items acquired through interlibrary loan by the due date. Failure to do so can jeopardize interlibrary loan privileges for the entire lab.
There is an Argonne librarian on site on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. These are the only times that interlibrary loan materials can be processed for lending or returning. As such, wait times for materials are greatly increased. Keep in mind, the library is still closed to patrons. Do not go to the library to try to retrieve your interlibrary loan material. You will not be able to.
If you are working on site, interlibrary loan materials can be sent to your office through interoffice mail. If you are working off site, interlibrary loan materials can be picked up at the visitor center outside north gate.
Interlibrary loan requests for electronic resources: e-book chapters, journal articles, etc., are mostly unaffected. It is usually faster to request an electronic copy of something than the print edition.
The Argonne Research Library staff thanks you for your patience as we try to fulfill material requests as quickly as possible.
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