Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary Borrowing is a service which provides access to the collections of libraries throughout the world. Through interlibrary cooperation it is possible for you to obtain materials, either as loans or copies, which complement and augment the collections of Fondren Library.
Direct acces to the Rice ILLiad System.
Eligibility:
Service is provided to Rice faculty, students and staff ONLY. Others may obtain services via your local library's Interlibrary Loan Office.
Materials which Interlibrary Borrowing can try to obtain:
- Anything not owned by the Fondren Library, the Brown Fine Arts Library, or the Business Information Center.
- Items that are owned by the Library, but not currently available, i.e. Lost, Missing, or At Bindery.
Items which are difficult to obtain:
The following types of material are not usually available via Interlibrary Borrowing:
- Rare items (occasionally microfilm or reprints are available)
- Books in poor condition
- Items which are considered reference materials
- Materials which a particular library is unwilling to lend
- Software
- Titles that are prescribed as course textbooks at Rice will NOT be requested via Interlibrary Borrowing.
Dissertations/Theses:
We will attempt to borrow dissertations and theses for your use. If we are unable to borrow a dissertation for your use, you can purchase a copy (if available) through our office. The cost for students and staff is $29.00 for an unbound copy. Faculty members may avail themselves of this service at no charge.
Charges:
The services of Interlibrary Borrowing are provided WITHOUT CHARGE, unless an incurred cost is considered excessive, e.g. for an expensive reproduction.
How to make requests:
Submit requests via the Rice ILLiad System. You can access this system from any computer with internet access and a web browser, 24 hours a day. You must submit 1 form for each item requested. If you are using any of the FirstSearch databases (WorldCat, ArticleFirst, etc.), you may send requests directly to us without re-keying any information. Follow the on-screen instructions, or ask a Reference Librarian for further assistance.
How Long Does It Take?
Most requests can be filled within a week if available locally, and within 3 weeks if available in the US. Some items may take longer, depending on where we must go to fill the request. If you need an item by a specific deadline, please indicate the date after which material cannot be used. If we are unable to fill your request by the need-by date, it will be canceled.
We will make every attempt to obtain the material for you as quickly as possible, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to supply the material by the time you need it.
When filling out the request form, please provide as much information as you can. The more information we have, the faster your request will be filled. If you have questions about what information we need, please feel free to contact us to discuss your requests. Requests with incomplete, vague, or incorrect information may increase the time it takes to obtain the material for you.
How Long May I Keep Materials?
Most items borrowed through Interlibrary Borrowing can be kept for three weeks (21 days).
Renewals and Fines:
You should make every effort to complete your use of the ILL material within the original loan period. If you need a renewal, please submit your request via ILLiad within three days of the due date. You mat also email your renewal request to ill@rice.edu including the TN # of the item you would like to renew or phone 713-348-2284. You may request only one renewal per item. The renewal period is usually two weeks (14 days).
Material borrowed through Interlibrary Borrowing CANNOT be placed on reserve.
Interlibrary Borrowing does not assess fines for overdue materials, but we request that you help protect the good reputation of Fondren Library by returning books before the due date. If a lending library bills us for a book they consider lost, we will bill you for that item. If you have overdue ILL items, your ILLiad account will be blocked until all overdues have been returned.
Copyright:
The Document Delivery Services Department adheres to the provisions of US Copyright Law. Please read carefully the copyright statement on the photocopy request form.
On-Site Borrowing at Local Academic Libraries:
All Rice University faculty, staff, and students may borrow books directly from the following institutions:
Borrowers must know the author, title, and call number of each book, and obtain a request form from Interlibrary Borrowing during business hours. The number of items, loan periods, renewal policies, and fines vary with the lending institutions. Interlibrary Borrowing will return items borrowed via On-Site Borrowing to the lending institutions.
National and Individual Policies:
The Document Delivery Services Department adheres to the National Interlibrary Loan Code prepared by the American Library Association, as well as to various state and national consortial Interlibrary Loan protocols.
Need More Information?
Please contact our office via phone or email, or stop by during normal business hours.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
INTERLIBRARY BORROWING (Rm B37)
Document Delivery Services, MS-240
Fondren Library, Rice University
P.O. Box 1892
Houston, TX 77251-1892
Phone: 713-348-2284 (x2284) / Fax: 713-348-4117
ill@rice.edu
