Interlibrary Loan For Libraries

The West Virginia Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Request System allows public libraries within the state to borrow library materials from other public libraries and from the West Virginia Library Commission. Fill out the ILL Request System form to request materials. Contact Network Services for account information or to update library contact information.

How to Request an ILL

ILL Request System
Complete the form provided in the link above to request library materials from another public library within West Virginia or from the Library Commission.

FAQ for Libraries

What is interlibrary loan (ILL)? ILL is a service where a patron from one library and borrow library materials from another, lending library. The lending library will set an due date and any associated costs for the material being borrowed.
How do requests come in to my library? Interlibrary loan (ILL) requests come in through email from the ILL server. In the emails, the service is identified as “Apache.” Request look like this:
How do I update my library’s contact information? The contact information for the system is updated by the Library Commission Network Services Division. Complete a HelpDesk Ticket to update information.
Are there costs associated with ILL? Sometimes a lending library will have an associated cost with interlibrary loan, generally for postage. Contact the library first if you a unsure about costs.

Interlibrary Loan Best Practices

You can find a document detailing best ILL practices below.

ILL Best Practices.pdf

Interlibrary Loan and Copyright Law

Federal Copyright Law (PL94-553; Title 17, United States Code) requires libraries to post a notice of warning concerning copyright restrictions (preferably near the copying machine) and to indicate compliance with sections 107 and 108 of the law on interlibrary loan request forms. At least a paraphrase of the following warning should be included in the written interlibrary loan policy.

Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproduction 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 specific 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.

Periodical Articles Guidelines developed by the National Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works (CONTU) specify that, during one calendar year, no more than five copies may be received from any one work whose publication date is within five years of the date of the patron's request.

Sections of Books Chapters or sections of books may be copied if the library does not receive more than five requests for copies from the same work from any individual library, during a calendar year.

Entire Works Libraries may copy an entire work if the library determines that another copy is not available or cannot be obtained at a fair price "Fair price" is not precisely defined. The copy of the work becomes the property of the user for private study, scholarship, or research only.

Retention of Request Forms CONTU Guidelines require libraries to retain the current calendar year's records of filled requests for copies or reproductions, plus the records of filled requests for the previous three calendar years. This requirement only applies to requests for copies or reproductions and not to loan requests.

Electronic Resource Licensing and Interlibrary Loan Increasingly, copies are provided from electronic resources. Because many of these electronic products are licensed and not owned by the library, uses for interlibrary loan activity may be prohibited by the license agreement. Libraries should try to ensure that license agreements contain language that permits use for interlibrary loan.

Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States

Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States Explanatory Supplement

Questions and comments may be directed to State Library Services at (304) 558-2045.