Interlibrary Loan Allows Access to Materials Near and Far
March 26, 2010 —
Didn’t find that out-of-print book on your last trip to the library or online catalog?
There’s a good chance you can get it, anyway, through a service that connects nearly all Missouri public libraries called “interlibrary loan.”
The Springfield-Greene County Library District can borrow and lend materials with more than 9,100 U.S. libraries, said Rhonda Brown, interlibrary loan manager.
Best sellers, recent publication, textbooks, pamphlets, audio- and videocassettes, rare or valuable materials are not available through interlibrary loan.
“The goal is to connect all 152 Missouri libraries to be a part of that so it can really enhance their collections,” Brown said.
Participating libraries enjoy free courier delivery service two days a week to more than 350 libraries in Missouri, Kansas and Colorado.
Library card holders can submit a request at their library or on www.coolcat.org. The request goes to the closest library that has that title, and is delivered to the patron’s branch in two to five days.
Our library patrons like it, as this one said in a recent survey: “…It allows me to access my author’s books in chronological order. It is also a wonderful tool for accessing very old books and long-gone authors.”
You can learn more about interlibrary loan at thelibrary.org/services/ill.cfm, or call 883-5310.
The district is also one of two public libraries in the state in MOBIUS, allowing us to borrow and lend materials with Missouri academic libraries for our patrons.
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The library is partnering with the American Library Association and Woman’s Day magazine to hear your thoughts on why the library is important to you and your community.
Patrons tell us they’re turning to the library for free entertainment, Internet access, computer training and job hunting.
From now through May 9, women ages 18 and older are invited to describe why the library is important to them in 700 words or less to womansday@ala.org. Up to four stories will be featured in the March 2011 issue of Woman’s Day or on womansday.com. Rules are available on the Woman’s Day Web site at womansday.com/ala. The 2010 winners’ essays are at www.womansday.com/library.
And save some thoughts for an essay contest that the Springfield-Greene County Libraries will kick off April 11 during National Library Week. Among other prizes, winners’ portraits will be featured in a series of “READ” posters for the district. Stay tuned for more details in April.
Kathleen O’Dell is community relations director for the Springfield-Greene County Library District. She can be reached at kathleeno@thelibrary.org.