Connecticut State Library with state seal

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Interlibrary loan has two parts. One is borrowing (requesting) library materials or copies from other libraries when the State Library does not own an item. The other is lending or supplying materials or copies requested by other libraries.

Borrowing from Another Library | Borrowing from the State Library
Interlibrary Loan Contact Information

Borrowing From Another Library - State Employees And Interlibrary Loan
Only Connecticut state employees, who need work-related material, may ask the State Library to borrow an item or request a copy for them on Interlibrary Loan.

Other patrons and state employees with non work-related requests should ask their local public, academic, or school library to request items for them.

TO REQUEST AN ITEM OR A COPY
State employees should talk to a reference librarian about the material that they need. Depending on the material, the Library will request to borrow an item from another library, or will ask another library to provide a copy. Visit us during our open hours, call 860-757-6500, or email CSL.isref@ct.gov.

The reference librarian will verify that the State Library does not own the item and that it is not available on our electronic resources or the internet. The librarian will ask for your name, agency and contact information so we can get in touch when the item arrives. We prefer to use email.

BORROWING
Many libraries are willing to loan books in good condition published in the last 100 years but it varies from library to library. Some items may not be available for loan, for example, recent best sellers, videos, computer files, old books, maps, and issues of periodicals. But we never know. Some libraries have very liberal loan policies.

If at all possible, the Interlibrary Loan staff will locate any material you need for your work.

COPIES
Subject to the copyright law, we will attempt to get copies for your use. The reference librarian will point out the provisions of the law when you make your request.

"Copyright Notice: The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions 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 the 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 a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law."

HOW LONG TILL THE ITEM IS READY
It's impossible to predict with any accuracy how long it will take to borrow an item or get a copy for you. We attempt to fill most requests within two weeks but it can take longer. Sometimes we are unable to get what you want.

PICK UP THE MATERIAL WHEN IT'S READY
We will phone or email you when the item has arrived. Come to the reference desk at 231 Capitol Ave., Hartford where you requested the material to pick up your item(s).

We will hold borrowed items for 5 days. If not picked up, they will be returned to the supplying library.

Copies will also be held for 5 days. If the supplying library sends the copy to us via email, we will attempt to send it to you via email. If this is unsuccessful, you will have to come in.

LENGTH OF THE LOAN
Copies are yours to keep, unless otherwise indicated.

Bring a borrowed item to the reference desk at 231 Capitol Ave., Hartford, when you are done with it. For borrowed items, you usually get 2-3 weeks but it varies depending on the supplying library's policy. Borrowed items are due back to us one week before the due date set by the supplying library. This allows us time to send the item back before it is overdue.

If you need more time, phone 860 757-6556 or email the Interlibrary Loan Office and ask if the book can be renewed. Not all libraries permit renewals, so, please don't assume it will be permitted. Phone us a few days before it is due back to us. Our phone and email are listed at the end of this document.

FEES
We will always try to provide your material without a fee but the supplying library may charge us. Libraries may have different charges for loans and copies. The State Library does not charge a fee for trying to borrow or get copies for state employees.

When you ask for the item, the reference librarian will ask if your agency will pay any fees. If so, the charges will be passed on to your agency.

OVERDUE, DAMAGED OR LOST ITEMS
If the item is returned late and there are overdue fines, or if the item is lost or damaged the charges will be passed to your agency.

Borrowing from the State Library In Hartford
The State Library will lend items or send copies via Interlibrary Loan service only to other libraries, not to individuals.

INTERNATIONAL LOANS AND COPIES
Any item that circulates or can be copied and mailed will be sent to libraries in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, to military bases with an APO or FPO address, and to these U.S. territories: American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Following the usual fee schedule, an invoice will be sent with copies that exceed 10 pages. Payment is due in U.S. dollars.

SEARCH THE STATE LIBRARY CATALOG
Search the "State Library Catalog" to locate materials we own. Searching tips for newspapers gives an overview of using the catalog.

For complex questions or assistance, ask a reference librarian about the material that you need. Visit us or call 860-757-6500 or email CSL.isref@ct.gov.

CIRCULATION STATUS FOR LOANS
Items in the catalog with a Status of "Available" are allowed to circulate. Items with a Status of "Library Use Only" (the majority of our collections) do not circulate. See Borrowing Materials for a detailed description of what does and does not circulate.

Most newspapers on microfilm may be borrowed on interlibrary loan. The films do not circulate directly to patrons and therefore are marked as "Library Use Only" in the catalog. However, patrons can request them through the Interlibrary Loan procedure at their local library. On behalf of a patron, the library may borrow three reels of microfilm for six weeks. Once the order of three reels has been returned, another three reels may be borrowed.

We reserve the right to change an item's status at any time and for any reason.

GETTING A COPY
For serial publications, search the catalog to determine if we own the issue you need. The requesting library must indicate copyright compliance by indicating ccg or ccl.

We will not make a copy if the work is fragile. See other State Library practices regarding making copies in the "Photocopy Service" section of "Copies, Copiers, and Change".

SEND A REQUEST
Libraries may send requests via:

OCLC (symbol: czl)
reQuest - the statewide database (symbols: czl, or, czlg)
or, if using an ALA form, by fax (860-757-6559) or mail

LOAN PERIOD FOR ILL ITEMS
Items loaned to other libraries circulate for 6 weeks, including shipping time.

Renewals, if granted, are for an additional 4 weeks. Please ask for renewals 1 week before the item is due, not sooner. A renewal request will be turned down if the item is needed for use by a State Library patron.

FEES
Loans -- The State Library does not charge for loans.

Copies (Ten pages or fewer) - no fee.

This is for 8.5x11 in. and 8.5x14 in. copies.
Please note: the title page and copyright statement count as the first two pages.

Copies (Over 10 pages) - fee varies depending on the size of the paper and black & white or color. Look at the Copying by CSL Staff - Photocopy service section of REPRODUCTION AND PUBLICATION OF STATE LIBRARY COLLECTIONS for complete details.

The fee is applicable regardless of mail or fax delivery.

OVERDUES, LOST AND DAMAGED ITEMS
See the "Overdues" section of "Borrowing Materials" for the State Library policies.

PAYMENT METHOD
We will send an invoice with the item. Please do not pay in advance.

DELIVERY METHOD
We will try to deliver the item by the method specified by the requesting library.

Items may be delivered by:

Mail
Fax (we will not fax more than 30 pages, and not outside the contiguous U.S.)
UPS or other carrier (if account number is provided)
C-Car statewide delivery service (Connecticut libraries)

LIBRARIES SEEKING A LOAN FROM THE STATE LIBRARY SERVICE CENTERS
Connecticut libraries may also borrow from the collections of the State Library's Middletown and Willimantic Library Service Centers. The centers do not lend to libraries in other states. See WebjunctionCT for information.

INTERLIBRARY LOAN Contact Information

STATE LIBRARY IN HARTFORD

Interlibrary Loan Office
Connecticut State Library
231 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106

C-Car route: B-84

Phone: 860-757-6561
Fax:     860-757-6559

Email: ill@cslib.org

OCLC symbol: czl

ReQuest symbol: czl (use this one for most items)

ReQuest symbol: czlg (use this one for federal documents)

Affiliations/Memberships: NELLCO, reQuest

Libraries may send requests via

OCLC
reQuest - the statewide database
or, if using an ALA form, by fax, email or mail