Can I request a required textbook for my class through Interlibrary Loan?
Answer
No We cannot request textbooks from other libraries.
Why not?
Well…
- Some textbooks, lab materials, and course packs are created by WT faculty. As such, these are only available at WT
- Few libraries purchase textbooks. Of those that do:
- Only a few will have the newest edition
- Even fewer libraries will loan their textbooks out to other libraries
- The lending library owns the book. As such, they can stipulate conditions not conducive for using ILL as an alternative for purchasing/renting your textbooks. Such conditions are:
- Short loan periods, often only between 2-3 weeks
- Renewals are either not allowed or are extremely short (1-2 extra weeks)
- The loaning library may recall the book so their own user may checkout the book
- If you lose the book or fail to return the book on time:
- You would be responsible for late, processing, and replacement fees. Your grades, graduation, transcripts, and library privileges would be blocked until these fees were paid.
- Additionally, the Cornette library could lose borrowing privileges from the lending library for all WT faculty, staff, and students if you fail to return the book.
- Major textbook publishers are moving towards a rental-only model. Libraries all over the world will not be able to purchase these books for their collections as a result.