Request a book     Request a periodical article

In order to support the study and research of SRJC students, faculty and staff, the Library's interlibrary loan service borrows books and obtains photocopies of journal articles from other U.S. libraries when these items are not part of the SRJC Library collections. Interlibrary loan services are meant to supplement the Library's own collections, and should not be used exclusively.

Interlibrary Loan policies are based on the Interlibrary Loan Code of the American Library Association and on current U.S. copyright laws.

If you are a currently enrolled SRJC student, staff or faculty member or a regular emeritus faculty member, you may request an interlibrary loan.

Before you begin your request, please be sure to check the library catalog to determine that one of the SRJC libraries does not already own the book you need. Interlibrary Loan requests will not be processed for books or periodicals which are already in the Library's collections unless they have been declared missing or lost. If the book you need is not checked out but is not on the shelf, please ask the Library staff at the Circulation Desk to put a "search" on the book.

To place your request, either 1) obtain and complete an interlibrary loan request form at the Reference Desk in either the Doyle Library (Santa Rosa campus) or the Mahoney Library (Petaluma campus) or 2) submit requests using the online request forms:   Request a book  and   Request a periodical article. (Student access to online interlibrary loan is planned but is not yet available.)

You'll need a separate form for each book or periodical article you request. (A reference librarian can help you check to be sure you have included enough information on the form for your request to be processed.) Interlibrary Loan requests may not be made over the telephone.

Copyright law limits the number of times Interlibrary Loan photocopy of articles may be requested from a single periodical title.

The Library will notify you by postcard, e-mail or phone when the materials you requested have arrived. You may pick them up at the Circulation Desk in either the Doyle or Mahoney Library (whichever library you indicated on your request form). Please note that repeated failure to pick up interlibrary loan items which you requested will result in loss of your interlibrary loan privileges.

How long will it take?
Books outside of the North Bay Regional Cooperative Library System are sent by Fourth Class mail. This may take two weeks or longer depending on the location of the sending library.

How long can I keep the book?
The sending library determines the length of the book loan; this is usually from two to three weeks. Most libraries do not permit renewals. Note: To avoid losing your interlibrary loan privileges, it is very important that you return the borrowed books on time.

When the book you requested arrives, a paper band with your name and the due date is placed around it. Please do not remove this band.

When you request a periodical article, the article is copied from the periodical. You may keep the photocopy. Occasionally, newspaper or journal sources are sent on microform; these must be viewed and photocopied inside the library.

For questions, further assistance, and to offer suggestions for improving interlibrary loan service, please contact Carol Idler in the Library's Interlibrary Loan Department. Phone: (707) 527-4554

The Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. 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 purposed 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 a violation of copyright law.

For other information about the U.S. copyright laws, see Copyright Issues.