The provision of quality interlibrary loan service both by the system agency and by the system member libraries is an essential element in the effort of the Rolling Prairie Library System to improve library service in our thirteen county area. Although interlibrary loan has been one of the core system services from the beginning of the system in 1966, it is important to realize that through modern technology the great majority of interlibrary loan requests in our system now go directly from library to library rather than through the system interlibrary loan office. Requests can be submitted as a First Search printout, by a telephone call or telefax. Requests can be for any known title in virtually any reasonable format including sound recordings and video recordings.
Requests can also be for a photocopy of a periodical article.
RPLS will continue to request items libraries cannot obtain within Illinois. Work on requests is normally initiated within one working day of receiving the request, and requests are usually filled, referred or canceled within four working days. In the event a librarian feels that response has been untimely, she is encouraged to contact the RPLS Assistant Executive Director for an explanation. If the request is for a photocopy of an article the member library should determine that it meets copyright compliance guidelines. And again, the library should go directly to Illinois libraries.