The Interlibrary loan service exists for the purpose of borrowing various library materials (i.e., books, microfilm, audios, newspaper and magazine articles, etc.) which are not owned by the Lee College Library. Additionally, items may be borrowed if their status is that of missing or if items have been checked out of the Lee College Library for an extended period of time and have not been returned.

The Interlibrary Loan service is free to students and employees of Lee College with current library cards. Sometimes lending libraries charge a fee to borrow some materials, but the borrower will be consulted first to determine if the patron is willing to pay for the borrowed item. Individuals may not borrow more than 10 items at one time.

Some libraries will not loan certain materials. For example, many libraries will not loan items published less than 6 months ago, genealogy materials, best sellers or textbooks. Libraries also will usually not loan reference materials, rare items, or books in poor condition.

The length of time to receive a borrowed item depends on the lending library. Most materials take several days to over two weeks. If an item is needed by a certain date, please indicate that information on the request form. If the Lee library staff is unable to locate a requested item, every effort will be made to notify the requestor in a timely manner. Most items borrowed from other libraries can be kept for at least two weeks, although each library determines how long materials may be loaned. Individuals may keep photocopies of journal articles that have been borrowed from other libraries, unless otherwise specified.

Some libraries will renew borrowed items. Individuals must notify Lee College librarian who works in the interlibrary loan department at least 4 days before the due date if there is a request to renew materials.

Late fines for borrowed materials are .50 cents per day. Individuals who have overdue interlibrary loans will be blocked from participating in the Lee College Interlibrary Loan program.

Updated: October 2005