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Area Interlibrary Loan Plan

1. Introduction
   
   This Area Interlibrary Loan Plan for the South Central Library System (SCLS) gives an overview of interlibrary loan within the seven member counties, Adams, Columbia, Dane, Green, Portage, Sauk and Wood, as required by 43.24 (2)(d) of the Wisconsin Statutes. By signing the membership agreement contract, all SCLS member public libraries have agreed to share their resources following jointly developed interlibrary loan agreements, policies, and procedures.
   
   Madison Public Library serves as the system resource library and interlibrary loan clearinghouse.
   
   
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2. Area Resources and Access Resources
   
   The South Central Library System area includes public, school, special and academic libraries, as well as a number of unique statewide agencies and resources. Among the special resources in the area: The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, WiLS, Reference & Loan Library, the Cooperative Children's Book Center, many state agencies and the State Law Library.
   
   Online subscription databases that deliver full text information to libraries and patrons include EBSCOhost and ProQuest databases, the Literature Resource Center, netLibrary, ReferenceUSA Business, HeritageQuest, and AncestryPlus.
   
   Access:
   Access may be by: walk-in, telephone, Internet, fax, email, and/or "traditional" interlibrary loan requests.
   
   Finding Tools:
   Several tools are used in the area to identify library resources, including:
   
1. LINKCat, the shared online catalog of 38 SCLS public libraries, and the online catalogs of Portage County Public Library and Marshfield Public Library.


2. WorldCat - The Online Computer Library Center (OCLC)'s international bibliographic database.


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3. ILL Patterns for Routing Requests:
   
   SCLS public libraries' first stop for ILL items is LINKcat, though libraries in Portage or Wood Counties may opt to search the online catalogs of the Portage County or Marshfield Public libraries before they search LINKcat. SCLS libraries may choose to search the Portage County or Marshfield Public library online catalogs and reserve materials. For items not found on LINKcat, libraries should place requests using WorldCat.
   
   By contract, Madison Public Library serves as the resource library and clearinghouse for SCLS public libraries.
   
   Other Networks:
   
   Patterns other than those stated above for public libraries exist and may be followed. Some academic and special libraries are participants in other networks that include libraries outside of SCLS. These libraries will follow their own guidelines and procedures for deciding whether to use the SCLS public library network or to use their other network.


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4. Making Requests
   
   The interlibrary loan responsibilities of member libraries at various levels are described in detail in SCLS INTERLIBRARY LOAN RESPONSIBILITIES.
   
   Multitype libraries within SCLS may access LINKcat and place their own holds. They may choose to have requested items delivered to the LINK library of their choice for pickup, or they may contract for special delivery services on a cost recovery basis.


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5. Delivery of Materials
   
   A minimum level of delivery service is provided to SCLS public library members as part of system membership. Some counties, and some libraries, have purchased additional delivery service. Other types of libraries may purchase regular or on-call delivery through contract with SCLS. Whenever possible, materials will be delivered to the requesting library via the SCLS delivery service. SCLS also operates what has become a statewide delivery system. This service will be used whenever possible to deliver and return interlibrary loan materials. Fax and email delivery are also available on a limited basis.


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6. Requests Received from Libraries Outside of SCLS
   
   Resources of SCLS libraries may be requested by libraries outside of SCLS. These requests may be made by other system clearinghouses or by Reference & Loan Library directly through LINKcat or to Madison Public Library through OCLC ILL. If the requested material is owned by a LINK Library, the system clearinghouse ILL staff will use the shared system to make the request. Madison Public Library also accepts requests submitted on ALA forms.


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7. Evaluation of Interlibrary Loan Service
   
   SCLS staff and the Interlibrary Loan Subcommittee will gather information as needed to maintain an efficient and effective interlibrary loan system within SCLS.


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8. Development of this Plan
   
   This Plan was written and developed by the SCLS staff with input from members on the Multitype Advisory Library Committee and members of the Interlibrary Loan Subcommittee of the Public Library Advisory Committee. It became effective on 3/4/99, and has been revised periodically as necessary.

For more information about Interlibrary Loan, contact Cheryl Becker.

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