Hilda C. Landers Library & Archives

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Guidelines

Requesting Materials

  • Eligibility:
    • Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is available to current students, faculty, staff, and faculty emeriti of SMCM as well as local community members from St. Mary's, Charles, and Calvert counties who have a valid SMCM library card. SMCM library cards can be obtained in person at the Library Circulation Desk.

  • Request Processing:
    • Requests are generally processed from 8am-3pm Monday through Friday.
    • Due to fulfillment and shipping practices at various institutions, the speed of fulfillment cannot be guaranteed.

  • Request Cancellation:
    • For SMCM faculty, staff, and students, the SMCM library reserves the right to cancel requests and notify patrons if:
      • The requested title is owned by the SMCM library.
      • The title is available for request through the USMAI catalog.
      • The title is available in full text through OneSearch.
    • For local community members, the SMCM library reserves the right to cancel requests and notify patrons if:
      • The title is owned by the SMCM library.

Checking Out

  • ILL items are automatically checked out to your Interlibrary Loan account upon arrival and are placed on the library's holds shelf. Items may be picked up at the Library Circulation Desk.

  • Unclaimed Items:
    • Items will remain on the library’s holds shelf for 14 days or the item’s due date, whichever comes first. If not picked up within this time frame, the item will be returned to the lending library.

Returning

  • Return all borrowed materials with their paper slip intact.
  • ILL items can be returned to the Library Circulation Desk or placed in the library's book drops.

Renewals

  • Patrons can renew their materials in their Interlibrary Loan account once unless "No Renewals" is specified on the item's paper slip.
  • All renewals are subject to the approval of the lending library.

Overdues & Fees

  • Overdue Policy:
    • After the third overdue email notice, failure to return a borrowed ILL item will result in account suspension. Suspension will be lifted once the item is returned.
    • ILL items that are 60 days overdue are declared lost and may incur a replacement fee.

  • Replacement Fees:
    • Lending libraries may dictate replacement fee costs for overdue items.
    • With permission from the lending library, patrons may be able to purchase an exact replacement copy of the item instead of paying the replacement fee.
    • If a lending library does not dictate a replacement cost, a standard replacement fee of $100.00 will be charged for items not returned.

Contact Us:

Email us at ill@smcm.edu or call 240-895-4437