Library Information

Circulating Collections

NCTC Libraries provide over 45,000 items across six campuses to serve the research needs of students, faculty, and staff. Many of these materials, including media items, may be checked out for a period of time for use outside the library.

Circulating Books and CDs check out for 3 weeks during the Fall and Spring semesters, and 1 week during Summer semesters for students, and 3 weeks year round for faculty, staff, and community users.

NCTC Libraries does not charge fines for overdue items. Lost and damaged materials are assessed a fee based on the replacement cost of the item.

Students may have up to a total of 10 items checked out on their record, including only one media item. Community users may have up to 3 items checked out on their record, including only one media item.

TexShare Card

NCTC Libraries participate in the TexShare Card Program. With a TexShare Card, you can borrow materials directly from participating institutions (such as the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University). In most cases, you need only present your current TexShare Card and a photo ID. TexShare Cards are provided only to NCTC faculty, staff, and students in good standing (i.e. no current fines, lost materials, etc.).

To obtain a TexShare card, inquire at your NCTC campus Library and present a current photo ID.

 Library Policies

Identification for Check Out*

Current NCTC students MUST present an official NCTC photo ID card to check out materials. Students may only check out materials during semesters when they are enrolled. NCTC faculty and staff may use either a photo ID or an NCTC ID card to checkout materials.

Community users, 18 years of age or older, from Cooke, Denton, and Montague counties can apply for an NCTC Library Card using a photo ID and proof of a current local street address. P.O. Boxes are not valid proof as a local street address. The Library Card or photo ID is required to checkout materials.

Check-Out Periods and Renewals**

Circulating Books and CDs check out for 3 weeks during the Fall and Spring semesters, and 1 week during Summer semesters for students, and 3 weeks year round for faculty, staff, and community users. Faculty and staff may request to have extended loan periods but items will be subject to recall as needed.

Circulating Videos and DVDs check out for 7 days. Faculty and staff may request to have extended loan periods but items will be subject to recall as needed.

Laptops may be checked out for a period of 2 weeks by students who are enrolled in, and have a Laptop Use Agreement on file for, the current semester.

Non-circulating materials such as reference items may be used in the library, but have no time limit on use and do not require check out. This includes all periodicals (magazines, newspapers, and journals). Faculty and staff may check these items out for classroom use.

Course textbooks and supplemental materials on reserve will circulate according to the specifications of the faculty member who provided it. Faculty and staff may check these items out for classroom use.

Other technology may be available to students for use in the library only. Faculty and staff may check these items out for classroom use. Each item has its own checkout period.

All checked out items are eligible to be renewed time as long as a hold has not been placed on the item by another library user. Renewals can be done online using the library OPAC, in person, or over the phone.

Items located on another NCTC campus can be requested using the library OPAC or by asking a librarian on your campus.

Students may have up to a total of 10 items checked out on their record, including only one media item. Faculty and staff may have a combined total of up to 10 media and print items checked out on their record and may request to check out more items, with all items subject to recall as needed. Community users may have up to 3 items checked out on their record, including only one media item.

Returning Checked Out Items

Checked out items are due on the date specified when the item is checked out. Items may be returned in the library during operating hours or in the library drop box at any time.

Laptops should be returned to the person staffing the library service desk during operating hours. All laptop accessories must be returned with the laptop.

A fee maybe assessed for reserve and media items not returned or renewed on or before its due date or time. Users who fail to return their items by the end of the semester will be billed for the item's replacement cost.

Patrons are responsible for returning materials on time. As a courtesy to the patron, overdue notices may be sent by e-mail or regular mail; borrowers remain responsible for returning any item on time if for any reason a courtesy message is not received. Library users may not check out materials if they have been blocked due to overdue items or unpaid fines. A hold is placed on transcript requests, grades, and registration time permits when items are not returned on time and/or when fines or lost book fees have not been paid.

Fines & Fees for Lost or Damaged Items

If an item is lost, the borrower must pay the replacement cost of the item. If an item is found after payment has been made, the item becomes the property of the borrower. No refunds will be made for lost items.

Replacement copies of lost or damaged items will be accepted from the patron so long as it is an exact duplicate of the lost or damaged item (same edition, ISBN, etc.) and it is in new or like-new condition.

*TexShare or ILL circulation policies covered in the NCTC Libraries' Resource Sharing Polices.

**The actual fines and fees for overdue or lost items are now included in the library staff Procedures Manual rather than under Policies. Fines and fees are listed below in this Policies document only for library staff convenience; staff are encouraged to check the Procedures Manual for any updates.

Late fees for late or missing materials from NCTC Libraries.

Reserve Materials: 25 cents per any part of an hour overdue

CDs, DVDs, Videotapes: $1.00 per day

Lost Materials Fee: Current replacement cost

Revised October 2021

Introduction & Purpose

The purpose of this Collection Development Policy is to guide the North Central Texas College (NCTC) Libraries in assuring quality and relevance in the acquisition and retention of materials in a collection designed to support the mission and purpose of the college as stated in the current edition of the college catalog.

Philosophy of Selection

The library will select, maintain and make available collections of materials to support the instructional programs of the college. Materials are selected to meet the academic needs of NCTC faculty members, staff members, and students. Library resources are selected by professional librarians who both request and consider all faculty input. Suggestions and requests from library patrons are also taken into consideration. When selecting library materials, librarians will seek to balance the collection by selecting materials that represent a variety of viewpoints.

General Priorities

The libraries' collections exist to make scholarly materials available on an equitable and cost effective basis to NCTC's entire faculty, staff, and student population. Resources applicable to a particular field of study may be housed in departmental offices.

The libraries' collections fall into the following categories:

• Library owned non-circulating materials

• Library owned circulating materials

• Library licensed electronic materials

• Faculty-selected print reserve items owned by a faculty member or the library

These are made available for in-library use for a designated period of time.

Identical materials may be held by more than one NCTC library to meet instructional needs. In addition, multiple copies may be held by a single NCTC library for the same reason.

Selection Criteria

• Relevance to the college curriculum and/or students' research needs

• Authority and reputation of author and publisher

• Evaluation of title in recognized critical reviews and bibliographies

• Demand

• Format, including indexing, binding, and suitability for library use

• Price

• Existing coverage in the collection(s)

• Supports areas of local interest and/or history

Weeding

Librarians review materials recommended for discard. Faculty may be consulted for input on decisions within their curricular area. Weeding should be done continuously and the collection evaluated to determine the relevancy of older materials in the collection. Final decision for removal and disposal is the responsibility of the Dean of Libraries.

General criteria for weeding:

• No longer meets selection criteria

• Worn or damaged items

• Superseded editions

• Outdated, inaccurate items

• Obsolete formats

• Space constraints

• Duplication

• Usage statistics

These guidelines may be modified where necessary to match the needs, goals, and mission of the library and the college.

Health Science materials are weeded and maintained by a separate procedure (See Health Sciences Weeding Policy).

Gifts

All gifts to the library are accepted with the stipulation that gifts become the Library's property. As such, donated materials may be discarded or added to the collection, following the selection criteria. The library cannot appraise donated items (books, DVDs, CDs, paintings, sculpture, etc.) for tax purposes.

Challenged Library Materials

Primarily, the NCTC Libraries support the curriculum and provide resources that will offer students and faculty the opportunity to explore topics in depth. Patrons with concerns about library materials are invited to discuss their concerns informally with the Dean of Libraries and/or to request an official review. To request an official review, patrons may submit a Request for Reconsideration of NCTC Library Resources form (Appendix 1) which will be reviewed by NCTC librarians.

Purpose

The currency of materials is a critical concern in regard to research materials in the health care professions. The following guidelines have been developed in order to maintain a current and usable collection of materials on a variety of topics related to the coursework required by NCTC's Health Sciences programs.

Policy

Library staff, as designated by the Library Director and with the assistance of Health Sciences faculty, will periodically review program collections using the weeding guidelines as dictated by this document. These guidelines are designed with a focus on the currency and relevance of materials to their relative programs.

Weeding Guidelines

I. Annual Review

The following materials will be subject to annual review by Library staff. Materials on these topics require the most recent edition available:

• Study guides

• Examination review books

• Laboratory guides

• Drug manuals

• Nursing care plans

New developments in some subjects require a change in materials with new information. Librarians will update the collection as needed when new developments arise. Some areas of concern include:

• Immunology (e.g. dealing with AIDS/HIV)

• Nutrition (e.g. reassessment of dietary needs, the food pyramid, etc.)

Any materials of this sort that cannot be withdrawn due to lack of a more current edition or a suitable substitute are subject to the Five Year Rule (Guideline II) as dictated below.

II. The Five Year Rule

The following materials will be subject to a "five-year-rule" in regard to their currency. Any materials whose publication or copyright date falls five or more years prior to the current year will be subject to withdrawal or designation as part of the "Medical Historical Collection":

• Nursing clinical procedures

• Pharmacology

• Adult health nursing

• Obstetric nursing

• Maternal-child health nursing

• Geriatric nursing

• Mental health concepts

• Nutrition

• Psychiatric nursing

• Nursing education

III. Other Health Science-Related Materials

Some materials contained within the broad subject class encompassed by the Health Sciences curriculum can be evaluated less strictly and on merits beyond their publication or copyright date.

Examples of subjects addressed by these materials are:

• Alcoholism

• Non-clinical health/disease information

• Social issues in health care

• Ethical considerations

• Popular non-fiction

• General physical and biological sciences:

  • Anatomy

  • Microbiology

  • Chemistry

  • Physics

These materials may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based upon the following considerations:

• Content

• Circulation usage

• Replacement availability

• Cost

• Condition

• Availability of material on the same topic within the collection

These materials are not subject to the Five Year Rule nor do they require designation as being part of the Medical Historical Collection, unless otherwise deemed so by Library staff or Health Science faculty.

IV. Medical Historical Collection

Materials subject to the Five Year Rule (Guideline II, as outlined above) that have been assessed by Library staff and Health Science faculty as still being necessary for the collection will be designated by the library as being part of the "Medical Historical Collection". This designation will be made both on the item itself (by labeling) and within the Library's catalog record.

V. Frequency

With currency being the foremost concern with these collections, Library staff (with the cooperation of the Health Science faculty) should review the collection on an annual basis.

VI. Faculty Involvement

Library staff should include Health Sciences faculty in the weeding process as much as possible. While faculty do not often have the time to assess the entire collection, Library staff can create lists of possible withdrawals based on the above guidelines that can be quickly examined by the relevant faculty for suitability. Library staff can also alert faculty to new titles being acquired within their disciplines.

Faculty can assist the Library staff by evaluating materials slated for withdrawal, alerting Library staff to topics undergoing recent change, and by selecting and recommending materials for purchase.

Definition of Terms

Goals

As part of the Library's mission to support the instructional programs and institutional goals of NCTC, the Library offers the use of computers to access important research databases, globally available information resources, and technological tools to assist students, faculty, and community members in meeting and exceeding their educational, instructional, professional, and life-enriching goals.

Authorized Use

Library computers are to be used primarily for college-related projects by North Central Texas College students (including Lifelong Learning students), faculty, and staff.

Community users may use Library computers according to availability and the discretion of campus staff. Such users may be required to present their library card or photo ID to Library staff in order to ensure authorized use. Community users must abide by all policies and procedures governing the use NCTC computers.

Guest access may be issued to other users at the discretion of library staff. Guest users must abide by all policies and procedures governing the use of NCTC computers.

As Library computer lab spaces are considered an extension of the classroom environment (see the NCTC Student Handbook for Specific Conduct Regulations/Restrictions), minor children (non-NCTC students under 18 years of age) are not authorized users of Library computer resources and are therefore restricted from the computer lab or other computer use areas.

Priority is given to course-related use and users may be asked to yield to others with academic needs more in line with the Library's primary mission. Computers may also be reserved by faculty for specialized course work at the discretion of Library staff.

In order to ensure access to Library resources (such as the NCTC Online Catalog or Research Databases), some library computers may be reserved for designated purposes.

The computing resources of NCTC, including hardware, software, and the network environment, may be used for lawful purposes only. Violation of local, state or federal laws, such as any regarding pornography, copyright, theft, vandalism, violation of personal privacy, and unauthorized access to computing resources, may subject one to possible criminal prosecution. The use of these resources for commercial activity is prohibited.

All users agree to refrain from conduct that produces an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or study environment. All users agree to comply with policies of the North Central Texas College Board of Regents regarding sexual, racial, and other forms of harassment, as well as standards of conduct for North Central Texas College students, staff, and faculty as specified in the North Central Texas College Student Handbook and, for faculty and employees, by the North Central Texas College Board of Regents Policies. These policies also pertain to computer use by community members. Violation of NCTC Board policies may result in College disciplinary action.

All users agree to comply with NCTC's Authorized Use of Campus Intranet & Computing Policy.

Remote Computer Access

Remote access to the Library subscription databases is available to current students, faculty, and staff who have an active NCTC network login account. Community users or guest users may not use such resources while off-campus.

Patron Privacy & Confidentiality

The library will disclose patron information only with the consent of the involved patron or in order to comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.

The library adheres to all North Central Texas College policies which concern the privacy and confidentiality of records.

North Central Texas College complies with all requirements of the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).

Copyright

Copyright Law (title 17, U.S. Code) prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials, except as permitted by the principles of "fair use." Except as allowed by those principles stated in the Copyright Law (title 17, U.S. Code), individuals should not copy or distribute either print or electronic materials without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.

Copying not specifically allowed by the law, fair use, license agreement, or the permission of the copyright holder is prohibited.

It is the responsibility of the user to acquire copyright permission when required.

Users are personally responsible for copyright compliance and personally incur the consequences of infringement.

Library personnel adhere to college policy and to federal laws relating to the fair use and reproduction of copyrighted materials.

Further information concerning copyright issues is available from U.S. Copyright Office website.

Freedom of Expression

Freedom of expression and an open environment to pursue scholarly inquiry and sharing of information are encouraged, supported, and protected at NCTC. Censorship is not compatible with the goals of NCTC. The College should not limit access to any information due to its content, as long as it meets the standards of legality and appropriate types of speech.

While we reject censorship, there are several forms of expression that are not protected: obscene material, child pornography, sexual harassment, or other violations of law and College policy.

General Policies

Use of Tobacco Products or Alcohol and Other Drugs
The use of any tobacco products is not permitted on any part of NCTC campus property. The use of alcoholic beverages and other drugs is prohibited on campus property and violations will be reported to campus law-enforcement authorities. The NCTC Libraries refer library patrons to the Student Conduct: Alcohol and Drug Use section in the NCTC Student Handbook for more detail.

Beverages and Food
Unless otherwise posted, beverages in covered, spill-resistant containers and light refreshments such as snack foods or items that can be eaten by an individual without mess are allowed throughout the library building except at computer workstations in the library or near other equipment susceptible to damage. Designated areas may allow beverages and hot food as part of a sanctioned event.

Personal Property
The possible theft of personal property is an unfortunate feature of the Library environment. Therefore, the Library encourages its users to take every precaution to ensure the safety of personal belongings, to never leave personal property unattended, and to remain alert to their immediate surroundings. The Library takes no responsibility for the security of personal belongs brought into Library facilities or the theft, damage, or loss of personal property.

Photography, Video-recording, or Audio-recording
The Libraries reserve the right to limit the use of photographic, video, or audio recording equipment within the facilities. Persons wishing to photograph or conduct video or audio recording within the libraries should contact the librarian on duty for permission before proceeding with the activity. Subject to review by the librarian on duty or the library director, any library staff member may temporarily suspend such activity if the activity is perceived as being disruptive or encroaching upon the privacy of individuals.

Use of Electrical Outlets
Electrical outlets provided in Library public service spaces, including study carrels, may be used to power approved devices, including laptop computers, devices loaned to users by the Library, and other mobile devices; however, connections (i.e., cords and power strips) must not create a tripping hazard. Library users may not unplug Library equipment (e.g., copiers, workstations, or other peripherals) in order to access an outlet for personal use.

Posting of Advertising & Outreach Signage
Postings should be of general interest to the campus community. After signage has received approval from an appropriate NCTC official, as designated in the NCTC Student Handbook, the item will be posted in designated locations within the libraries for a period of two weeks, and then removed. Special permission must be received for longer posting. Items may not be taped on the walls, shelving units, restrooms, windows, doors, or furniture of the library. Items that do not have the appropriate approval, as defined in the NCTC Student Handbook, will be removed and discarded.

Photocopiers
Photocopiers are available for NCTC students who will use their NCTC login to deduct payment from their GoPrint account. Users will not be permitted to photocopy or reproduce library materials if damage may occur. The copyright law of the United States [Title 17, United States Code; found at http://www.copyright.gov/, which is posted near photocopy equipment, governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The library is not responsible for any copyright infringement committed by users. Any problems with the photocopiers should be reported to the Circulation desk.

Hours of Service
Library hours may vary from campus to campus and from semester to semester. Changes are posted at the library entrance and on the library website. Users may also inquire by calling the campus libraries or by emailing library staff.

Individual & Group Facilities

Use of library facilities for meetings, events, performances, displays, exhibits, filming, and other functions outside of normal library uses must be requested and approved in advance by authorized library staff. Although conversations are to be expected, the study rooms and conference rooms are not soundproof. Materials (library and personal) brought into a conference room or carrel must be removed upon leaving.

Study Carrels
Individual study carrels located within a campus library are for the use of any user of the library on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Conference (Seminar or Group Study) Rooms
Group Study Rooms are designated for three or more users for group study. Individuals who have special needs may use the conference rooms if they are not in use for group study but will be asked to vacate to accommodate the following priorities: faculty who need to meet with students, scheduled tutoring sessions, and group study consisting of three or more users. Exceptions may be granted based on expected student or employee demand and are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Reservations to use conference (group study or seminar) rooms are encouraged and may be made from one working day to one week in advance. Group study rooms may be reserved only by registered NCTC students or employees. Reservations must be made, in person, by providing valid NCTC identification at the Library circulation desk. The individual who reserves the room must accept responsibility for it. The Library reserves the right to deny requests by non-students and reserves the right to deny requests or cancel reservations when appropriate. "Walk-in" use, available on a first-come first-serve basis, will be accommodated based on scheduled use.

Rooms can be reserved for up to two hours with the possibility of an additional two-hour renewal. Renewals are dependent upon scheduled use and may be denied. Rooms not checked out 10 minutes after the start of the reservation period will be made available to other users. Failure to use reserved time may result in a denial of future reservations. Also, once the users leave the study room, it is available for other students to use - the reservation is only valid as long as users occupy the room.

Door windows may not be covered. Unattended belongings may not be left in the study rooms; unattended items may be removed. The Library assumes no responsibility for personal property left in the rooms. Personal items will be temporarily placed in the Library's lost and found, then sent to the appropriate campus office designated to accept lost items.

Library users are expected to clean up the room when they leave and to report any problems to the library staff. If any damage or excessive mess is discovered after their use, library users may be charged for damages and may lose study room privileges.

The use of any audio/visual equipment provided in the study rooms is for academic purposes only.

User Conduct

The NCTC Libraries provide its users, including faculty, staff, students, visitors, and community members, with an environment conducive to teaching, learning, research, and study. Library users are expected to respect the rights of other NCTC Library users. It is expected that conversations and other reasonable noise will occur in library customer service areas as well as group study rooms; in other library areas, users should remain quiet or engage in non-disruptive conversations. Library users are expected to act responsibly, appropriately, and courteously in order to preserve the Library's environment, facilities, and collections. The Libraries reserve the authority to maintain order and discipline on its premises and to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the well-being of its staff, employees and the users.

Disruptive Behavior
Library users are reminded to be thoughtful of others who are studying or doing research. Conversations should be non-disruptive. You may report disturbances to the Circulation Desk. Anyone engaging in disruptive behavior or otherwise undermining a studious atmosphere may be asked to leave if, after being asked to cease and desist, the disruptive behavior persists.

Library staff will take appropriate action to remedy disruptive behavior, including, if necessary, notifying campus Security and/or the police.

Right to Refuse Service
Any library employee can exercise the right to refuse service when confronted by a library user acting irresponsibly or in a disruptive manner and may call the Campus Security to have the problem user escorted from the Library. An incident report must be filed with the Dean of Libraries when an employee utilizes the "right to refuse service" policy. The incident report will be filed in the department where the disruption occurred and with the NCTC Dean of Libraries. The Dean of Libraries may forward a copy to the Vice President of Instruction, Dean of Student Services, or other administrative offices, as appropriate.

Individuals who continue to abuse library staff and services may require additional corrective action up to, and including, being banned from Library facilities. When there is adequate documentation to support the request the Dean of Libraries may submit a request with the Dean of Student Services Office to have a repeat offender banned from the Library.

For those individuals necessitating an official ban, the Dean of Libraries will work with the Dean of Student Services. Campus security will be asked to assist with enforcement of the ban.

Unattended Children and Minors
The North Central Texas College Library provides an adult, unsupervised environment and library staff cannot be responsible for the safety of children/minors left unattended in the library.

Any minor/child under the age of 15 should be accompanied at all times by a parent, guardian, or an authorized adult. Accompanying adults must provide reasonable supervision and assure that the children/minors under their care abide by the Libraries' policies. This adult accepts responsibility for maintaining acceptable behavior on the part of the child/minor and will be asked to remove a disrupting child/minor or children/minors.

Unaccompanied children/minors who enter the library without adult supervision may be required to leave the Library; Campus Security will be contacted for assistance when an unattended child is very young (e.g., under 10).

In accordance with the Library's Computer and Internet Use policy, library computer labs are considered an extension of the classroom environment; therefore minor children (non-NCTC students under the age of 18) are not authorized users of Library computer resources and are therefore restricted from the computer lab and other computer use areas.

Exceptions to the parent/guardian/adult accompaniment requirement are made for NCTC students, NCTC dual-credit students, and children/minors participating in College-sponsored activities scheduled to occur in the Libraries. Exceptions also will be made on a case-by-case basis for any minor under the age of 15 who is directly engaged in research or educational activities and needs to use Library resources.

Cell Phones and Other Mobile Devices
Recognizing cell phones and other mobile devices are an important part of the learning environment, and an official means of emergency communication between the College and its faculty, staff, and students, cell phones and other mobile devices are allowed in the Libraries. Library users should turn down their cell phone ringers or switch them to vibrate while in the libraries. Users should conduct cell phone conversations away from study and research areas and conversations should be kept brief or the conversation needs to be continued outside the library.

Public Access and Use

The NCTC Libraries are open to the public and anyone may come into the buildings and use the print resources, online catalog (OPAC), and subscription research databases on designated computers. However, checkout of print resources is restricted to the general public users who have been issued an NCTC library card (addressed in the Circulation Policy) and remote access to the subscription databases is restricted to current North Central Texas College students, faculty, and staff.

Enforcement

The NCTC Libraries reserve the right to refuse access and borrowing privileges to any person who fails to observe libraries regulations and may be subject to NCTC-imposed discipline, as appropriate.

The Libraries reserve the right to temporarily suspend these policies, as appropriate, in order to accommodate meetings,receptions, and other events sponsored by the Library or the College.

The North Central Texas College Libraries retain the right to amend this policy without prior notice. Policy amendments will be effective immediately.

Revised October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of resource sharing is to expand the range of materials available to North Central Texas College (NCTC) students, faculty, staff, and community users. Resource sharing should not be used as a substitute for collection development based on the needs of our service population. Resource sharing should supplement a collection by either revealing areas of concern within the collection or by supplying users with items that are either difficult to acquire or fall outside the mission of the institution.

Services

NCTC Libraries participate in resource sharing through two distinct programs:

• Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

• The TexShare Card program

Definitions

Interlibrary Loan Services

NCTC Libraries provide Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services to qualified users based on the following guidelines. These guidelines are based upon the National Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States, revised 2008, which is endorsed by the American Library Association.

Qualified Borrowers

NCTC Libraries will only borrow materials and/or request photocopies on behalf of authorized library users:

• Currently enrolled students (including dual-credit and lifelong learning students)

• NCTC faculty members

• NCTC staff members

• Residents of NCTC’s tri-county service area (Cooke, Denton, and Montague counties) that have a current NCTC Library Card.

Authorized users must also be in good standing (not blocked or barred from library use).

Submitting Borrowing Requests

ILL requests may be made through the following means:

• Electronically through WorldCat (Direct Request)

• Electronically through NCTC’s OPAC

• Email to the Interlibrary Loan Librarian

• Submitting an Interlibrary Loan Request form to any NCTC Librarian

• Contacting any NCTC Librarian (in person, by phone, etc.)

ILL requests will not be submitted for the following items:

• Materials owned or reserved by any NCTC Library

• Current textbooks for NCTC classes

• Recently published materials

• Rare and expensive materials such as manuscripts

• Materials for reserve, groups, or any other use by multiple users

Processing Requests

Every effort will be made by the Interlibrary Loan Librarian (or by designated staff) to process borrowing requests within one business day. The Interlibrary Loan Librarian will assess the request according to the dictates of this policy and verify the accuracy of the submitted information. Any issues or discrepancies will be communicated to the Borrower for clarification.

Response from lending libraries may take from 2-3 weeks. Should no Lender be willing to send the requested material, the Interlibrary Loan Librarian will contact the Borrower to discuss other options (TexShare Card, photocopy requests, alternate materials, etc.).

Notification of ILL Material Arrival

NCTC Library users have the responsibility of keeping themselves informed of the status of their requests. NCTC Library staff will notify patrons by phone or email when a requested item arrives.

NCTC Interlibrary Loan materials are processed at the main library facility on the Gainesville campus. Materials requested by Borrowers attending classes at other NCTC campuses will be sent via courier to their home library.

It is the responsibility of the Borrower to notify the Interlibrary Loan Librarian if he or she is either unable to pick up requested materials or if they wish to cancel their Interlibrary Loan request. Requests not picked up from their home library within 10 business days will be returned to the lending library and may not be requested again by that user for the remainder of the semester.

Duration of Loans

The Lender specifies the length of time materials may be kept, usually from two to four weeks. The Lender dictates circulation policies regarding the requested materials. Any fees, fines, or set due dates are determined by the Lender; NCTC Libraries and our users must comply with these policies.

Renewals

Requests for renewal of materials should be placed at least three (3) days prior to the due date. Once the materials are past-due, no renewals will be allowed. Requests for renewal may be submitted in person, by phone, or by email.

Lenders may or may not grant the renewal request. If the renewal request is denied, the material’s due date remains unchanged and the Borrower remains responsible for returning the item on time.

Some Lenders have a standing policy of disallowing renewals. In such cases, the Borrower will be informed of this by NCTC staff.

Fees

NCTC Libraries do not charge for Interlibrary Loan services. NCTC Libraries make every effort to only borrow from free Lenders. However, in some cases, requested material can only be gained from Lenders who charge a fee for their services. The borrower needs to realize that the Lender may not send an item for which the Borrower is unwilling to accept the requested charges.

In the event that a Lender is charging a fee:

• Borrowers can indicate on the Interlibrary Loan Request form and through the web-form available on WorldCat the maximum cost they are willing to pay.

• The Borrower will be notified of any fees that may be accrued prior to submitting the request to the Lender.

• The amount will be added to the Borrower’s library record as a fee.

• Non-payment of fees can result in being barred from library use and having one’s student accounts blocked in the Registrar’s office.

• Faculty and staff users will make arrangements for payment with NCTC Library staff according to internal policies.

Charges for Overdue, Lost, and/or Damaged ILL Materials

Borrowers will be charged a fine for every day that ILL materials are overdue.

Borrowers will be charged replacement costs (including any processing fees) to be determined by the Lender for any lost or damaged ILL materials.

Non-payment of fines can result in being barred from library use and having one’s student accounts blocked by the Registrar’s office.

Abuse of Interlibrary Loan Services

Should a Borrower accumulate a history of abusing their Interlibrary Loan privileges by failing to return items in a timely manner, failing to pick up requested items, damaging and/or losing materials borrowed from other institutions, or non-compliance with any other aspect of the Interlibrary Loan policy, NCTC Libraries reserve the right to refuse ILL services to that Borrower. This determination is made at the discretion of NCTC Library staff.

Revised October 2021