Interlibrary Loan Policy

In providing interlibrary loan service, the Seminole Community Library follows the policy below in conjunction with the guidelines of the Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States as prepared by the Interlibrary Loan Committee, Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), 1994, revised 2001. Revised 2008, by the Sharing and Transforming Access to Resources Section (STARS), American Library Association.

1.0: Requirements for Patrons:

1.1: A patrons may request interlibrary loans service for items not owned by the Seminole Community Library (SCL) or any other member library of the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (PPLC), provided that:

  • The requesting patron has a valid card of the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative.
    (this may have been issued by any PPLC member library).

  • The requesting patron has no more than five current interlibrary loan requests. Current requests are those pending, shipped, or received by the patron.

  • The requesting patron does not have accumulated fines and/or charges of $10.00 or more for items owned by PPLC member libraries on his/her library card account.

  • The requesting patron has no outstanding fines or charges levied by the lending libraries for overdue, damaged, defaced, or lost interlibrary loan items. Highlighting, underlining, or making marginal notes is considered defacement.

  • The requesting patron is responsible for any fines or charges levied by the lending libraries for overdue, damaged, defaced, or lost interlibrary loan items. Highlighting, underlining, or making marginal notes are considered defacement.

2.0:  Concerning Items Seminole Community Library BORROWS from Other Libraries:

2.1:  The Seminole Community Library does not borrow the following:

  • “High-demand” books or books published within the last 12 months.

  • Textbooks used in coursework or published within the last 3 years.

  • Reference books.

  • Audio-visual materials (DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, audio cassette tapes).

2.2:  The Seminole Community Library will make a good faith effort to fill requests, but reserves the right to decline requests for difficult-to-obtain items

2.3:  The Seminole Community Library does not charge for interlibrary loan service, nor does SCL borrow from libraries that charge for interlibrary loan service.

2.4:  The lending library determines the due date for items.

2.5:  A renewal request may be placed one time for an item. Renewal requests will not be placed if the item is overdue. Renewals are not guaranteed.

2.6:  If a patrons wishes to renew an interlibrary loan item, the patron must apply at least five (5) business days before the item is due. Renewal requests must be made directly to the Seminole Community Library’s interlibrary loan coordinator at 727-394-6906.

2.7:  If a renewal is denied by the lending library, then the item must be returned. The patron may initiate a new interlibrary loan request for the same title at a later time, in compliance with other conditions in this Policy.

2.8:  Seminole Community Library will not re-request the same title for a patron for a period of three (3) months from the return date.

2.9:  The Seminole Community Library reserves the right to suspend the interlibrary loan privileges of a patron who does not pick up requested items, does not return items in a timely manner, or does not comply with this Interlibrary Loan Policy.

2.10:  Interlibrary loan items checked out through the Seminole Community Library must be returned to the circulation desk of the Seminole Community Library.

2.11:  Items are subject to recall at any time by the lending library.

2.12:  The patron will be notified of interlibrary loan items ready for pickup by the automated system of the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative.

2.13:  If an item is damaged, defaced, or lost, the corresponding charges will appear on the patron’s library card account until payment is made.

2.14:  Once payment has been made for lost interlibrary loan items, no refund will be issued if the items are later found.

3.0:  Concerning Items Seminole Community Library LENDS to Other Libraries:

3.1:  The Seminole Community Library does not lend the following:

  • “High-demand” books or books published within the last 12 months.

  • Text books used in coursework or published within the last three years.

  • Reference books.

  • Audio-visual materials (DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, audio cassette tapes).

3.2:  The Seminole Community Library will renew interlibrary loans subject to timely notification of the request (five business days) and local demand.

3.3:  The Seminole Community Library will provide copies of magazine articles from its collection subject to copyright restrictions.

Approved by Library Advisory Board: 28 March 2011
Amended by staff: 25 April 2011
Amendment approved by Library Advisory Board: 9 July 2012
Amendment approved by Library Advisory Board: 21 September 2015