Welcome!

The course is designed for members of the library community who do not have formal library training.  It will help you understand the ILL process.

The course is supplemental, in that it is not required to complete the Alternative Basic Library Education (ABLE) courses.  The course is designed to add to the basic knowledge of members in the library community. 

The course is divided into three small sections.  Each section has one or more web pages. At the end of the last section there is a self-evaluation test .  The course takes approximately 1 hour to complete.  If you have stopped working on the course and wish to re-enter where you left off, you may do so by clicking on the course section below.

Course objectives

Interlibrary Loan SABLE Course Introduction

According to the Idaho Interlibrary Sharing Guidelines [PDF], “interlibrary sharing is a mutual relationship”.  In order for it to work, the libraries involved must be willing to lend their materials as well as borrow.  This course will introduce you to the basics of ILL “etiquette”, polite, respectful, and efficient approaches that serve to smooth the path to the sharing of resources among libraries.

In this course, you will learn: 

1. Section One
   • to understand  the purpose of ILL
   • to understand the general process
   • to understand the purpose behind guidelines and protocols
2. Section Two
   • to understand the need for careful evaluation of a patron’s request before an ILL request is sent
   • to understand the need for accurate citations
   • to understand the need to follow protocols acceptable to the lending library
   • to understand the need to keep detailed records of ILL requests, including copyright
3. Section Three
   • to understand the need for prompt acknowledgment of ILL requests  
   • to understand the need for prompt processing of ILL requests
   • to understand the typical steps following the return of a loaned item

Bibliography of Interlibrary Loan Resources [opens new window].

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