Robert J. Terry Library

INTERLIBRARY LOAN

It is the mission of the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and document delivery service area to locate and acquire, whenever possible, materials not owned by the Robert James Terry Library for the educational, research, and general needs of the Texas Southern University community. This may include, but is not limited to, books, journal articles, documents, and audio-visual materials. The ILL area is also responsible for the lending of materials owned by Robert James Terry Library to other institutions when the requests fall into the guidelines listed below.

Robert James Terry Library's ILL area complies with ALA Guidelines, the AMIGOS Resource Sharing Policy, the copyright law, Title 17, US Code,  and the TexShare Interlibrary Loan Policy.

  INTERLIBRARY LOAN BORROWING FAQs

Books and journal articles not owned by Robert James Terry Library are borrowed from other local, regional, national and international libraries for use by Texas Southern University's students, faculty and staff.

What may we borrow for you?

While the ILL staff will try to borrow almost any item that is requested, frequently there are problems that may include:

  • Books still "in print" priced at $15 or less
  • Books published within the last two years
  • Rare or fragile books
  • Multi-volume sets
  • Reference books
  • Media
  • Theses/dissertations
  • Bound or single issue periodicals
  • Unpublished papers and reports
  • Computer software
  • Course Textbooks

If any of these problems are found to exist, the ILL request will not be processed. 

What should I do before making a request?

Check the library catalog for book holdings.  Books that are not on the shelf may have been checked out or they may be in a shelving area. Check with the Circulation staff before requesting these items through Interlibrary Loan.

Check for print journal titles in the library catalog.  Journals that are not on the shelf may be in a shelving area.  Check with the Serials staff at the second floor Information Desk.  Journal titles can also be located in the Search for eJournals and eBooks  electronic resource.  Additionally, the citation finder electronic resource can be accessed. 

Have complete and accurate information about the book or article you need to borrow. Pagination for articles and publication dates for books are usually necessary. Keep a record of the source of your information.

How do I make a request? 

Forms for requesting books and journals are available at the first floor Information Desk (current TSU identification cards must be presented when requesting materials). You must have the basic bibliographic information about the book or journal article. For books this means the author and title; it is often helpful also to know the publisher's name, place of publication and the date of publication. To request a journal article you must know the journal title, volume number, page numbers and date, as well as the author and title of the article.

 How long will it take?

The library can often borrow books and periodical articles from local libraries within five to ten working days. Items coming from out of state or those more difficult to verify or locate will take longer. You should anticipate a delay of a month or more and plan ahead for this when beginning your research.

 When will the book be due?

Each lending library sets its own due dates. This will mean that even if you pick up several books on the same day each one may have a different due date. A band identifying the borrower's name and date the book is due is placed on the book.

Renewals are also controlled by the lending library. Request a renewal at least four days before the due date. Please do not request renewals by phone, bring book(s) to the ILL office to make the renewal request.

How will I be notified?

ILL staff will telephone you when the requested materials are ready to be picked up. You must pick up the materials at the Information Desk on the first floor. Books which are borrowed must be returned to the first floor Information Desk by the due date.

 Is there a charge?

Generally, there is no charge to our patrons for materials borrowed through interlibrary loans, however, when a cost is levied by the lending library it will be passed on to the borrower.

 INTERLIBRARY LENDING POLICIES

Individuals from other libraries wishing to borrow materials held by the Robert J.Terry Library must make all requests through their home library.

Request for materials should be sent to:

Address:  

Interlibrary Loan
Robert J. Terry Library
Texas Southern University
3100 Cleburne
Houston, TX 77004 

 Telephone:  (713) 313-7402                            Fax: (713) 313-1080

 

OCLC Symbol: TXT

NUC Symbol:  TxHTSU

Will Accept:

OCLC, ALA, email, FAX requests

 

We do not accept phone requests

 MonographsLoan Period: 30 days; Renewals: 2 weeks

 The following types of materials are not available for loan:

  • Media
  • Heartman Collection
  • Reference/Government Documents
  • Dissertations/Theses
  • Journals