ACTS Library Circulation Code
Revised April 2002; Revised April 2005; Revised March 2012; Revised September 2016
I. Purpose
The purpose of this code is to bring uniformity to the interlibrary lending practices among ACTS libraries. The code is binding on all ACTS libraries. Acceptance of this code is a prerequisite to ACTS interlibrary borrowing for any institution.
ACTS libraries that are members of I-Share are expected to follow I-Share policies and procedures for borrowing and lending. ACTS libraries who participate in ILDS (the Illinois state document delivery service managed by the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries of Illinois (CARLI)) are expected to follow the Illinois Interlibrary Loan Code as well as ILDS policies and procedures for interlibrary loans.
II. Patrons
A. A patron is defined as any current ACTS full or part-time faculty member, faculty emeriti, registered graduate theological student, or staff member.
B. An ACTS library will not be required to consider as patrons persons with visitor, guest, local clergy, or alumnus status at other ACTS institutions.
III. Patron Privileges
A. The length of a loan for any class of patron shall normally be the same for ACTS patrons as it is for that class of patron affiliated with the lending library.
B. The number of items concurrently on loan to any one patron shall normally be a maximum of 20 or the limit prescribed by local policy, whichever is less.
C. The policy on renewals shall normally be the same for ACTS patrons as it is for patrons affiliated with the lending library.
IV. Remote Borrowing
A. Remote borrowing occurs when one ACTS library borrows material from another ACTS library.
B. Loan Protocols:
1. Remote borrowing requests are to be submitted electronically.
2. The use of the OCLC ILL or I-Share system is the preferred method for remote borrowing among ACTS libraries.
3. All materials will be shipped via ILDS.
C. Reserve Materials
1. Materials may be requested for reserve use and will be loaned for the length of the course. The lending library retains the right to refuse to loan for reserve according to local policy.
2. The borrowing library must specify that the material is being requested for reserve use.
3. Material borrowed for reserve may be subject to recall by the lending library.
4. A library shall return a borrowed item as soon as it purchases or recovers its own copy.
D. Requests for Non-returnable Items
1. Participating libraries will fill copy requests from other ACTS libraries, within the limits of copyright law, providing either a photocopy or an electronic document.
E. Processing of Requests
1. Processing of ACTS loan requests should be initiated by the lending library within 24 hours of receipt of the request. Days on which the processing unit of the lending library are closed do not count toward this 24-hour period.
F. Fees
There shall be no interlibrary transaction fees associated with ACTS interlibrary borrowing.
G. Overdues and Fines
1. The lending library determines its own schedule for declaring items overdue and sets its own fees for overdue items.
2. Patrons are held responsible for all fines for overdue materials. Overdue notices are submitted by the lending library to the borrowing library. The borrowing library is obligated to assist in the recovery of overdue materials.
3. If assessed by the lending library, bills for overdue fines are sent by the lending library to the borrowing library to be forwarded to the patron responsible. The borrowing library is not responsible for overdue fines if the patron defaults.
H. Lost and Damaged Books
1. The lending library determines its own criteria for declaring items damaged or lost and sets its own charges for such items.
2. Bills for lost or damaged items are sent by the lending library to the borrowing library to be forwarded to the patron responsible.
3. If a patron defaults in paying for a lost or damaged item, the borrowing library shall assume responsibility for payment.
IV. On-Site Borrowing
A. On-site borrowing occurs when a patron borrows material in person at an ACTS library other than his/her home library.
B. Identification of Patrons
- For non-I-Share ACTS libraries and for University of Chicago libraries, the patron must register at their home library and obtain an ACTS library card. For all on-site borrowing transactions at these libraries the patron must show a currently valid ACTS Borrower Identification card bearing his/her name and a current home library card. If the ACTS library is an I-Share library, use I-Share protocol.
- A registration is valid for one year, beginning July 1. A patron in good standing may be considered for renewal after presenting an ACTS Borrower Identification card and institutional identification card valid for the renewal period.
C. Fees
- There shall be no transaction fees associated with on-site borrowing by patrons from other ACTS libraries.
D. Overdues and Fines
- The lending library determines its own criteria for declaring items overdue and sets its own fees for overdue items.
- Overdue notices and bills for overdue fines for on-site borrowing are sent by the lending library directly to the patron.
- A patron’s home library is not responsible if a patron defaults on overdue fines.
E. Lost and Damaged Books
- The lending library determines its own criteria for declaring items damaged or lost and sets its own charges for such items.
- Patrons are held responsible for replacement costs of lost or damaged items.
- Bills for lost or damaged items are sent by the lending library directly to the patron responsible.
- If a patron defaults in paying for a lost or damaged item, the borrowing library shall assume responsibility for payment.
F. Blocking Borrowing Privileges
- The lending library determines its own criteria for blocking the borrowing privileges of any patron.