VCU Libraries implements new interlibrary loan fee

By Kimberly Separ
VCU Libraries

The Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries will implement a new service fee for interlibrary loan borrowing effective Jan. 13, 2003.

A $5 interlibrary loan-borrowing fee will be charged for materials that the VCU Libraries cannot obtain for free or through reciprocal agreements with other lending institutions. The resource delivery staff will make every effort to obtain items at no cost and will only charge the user if VCU Libraries is assessed a fee from the lending institution. A flat rate of $5 is the maximum a user will be charged, regardless of the costs to VCU Libraries. This flat rate does not include delivery charges for any optional expedited delivery services selected by the user.

The new service fee will partially offset recent budget reductions and steadily increasing costs of borrowing materials not owned by the VCU Libraries. Since interlibrary loan charges are paid from the same budget used for library materials, the new fee will help preserve funds for book and journal purchases. The Libraries will continue to absorb the majority of costs for borrowing materials. These fees apply to all VCU faculty, staff and students.

Questions and comments may be directed to Shirley Thomas, resource delivery librarian at 804-828-0630.