InterLibrary Loan: Introduction

The list of participating MeLCat libraries has two important pieces of information:

• Since SVSU is part of the Visiting Patron program, if you visit another participating library (e.g., CMU or MSU) you may check out their materials directly at their circulation desk.
• The list also indicates whether the library loans media through MeLCat like we do. 
• If you visit libraries that are participate in both Visiting Patron and media loans you can check out media at their circulation desk.

Which service is right for you right now?

The Library offers several services to provide materials to currently registered students, faculty and staff. Each service is described in detail under the appropriate tabs on this page.

Services that supply you with SVSU-owned material

• Place a Hold is an option to reserve an SVSU-owned book, etc., while in our Library online catalog.              
  • Items are held for pickup at the 1st floor Circulation Desk.                
  • Holds are pulled at 9am, 3pm, and 7pm Monday - Friday, and during the first hour the Library is open on weekends. Please allow at least 6 hours for notifications that your hold being ready to pick up.                                                                    

Services that supply you with materials from other Libraries

• Interlibrary Loan (ILL) via Get it with Tipasa.  ILL is used when requesting materials from North America.
  • Materials you may request are limited to books, chapters from books, music scores and sheet music, and articles. 
  • Because of the expenses involved, there may be some limitations based on availability of the requested item.
  • Dissertations are rarely available. Library staff will make every attempt to try to secure a copy, but most dissertations are not made available by the lending institution. 
• MeLCat borrows materials from other Michigan libraries.
  • Use this service to request books, music scores, and video and music recordings.    
  • Note that we do not request articles through MeLCat. 
  • MeLCat is the preferred service if a title is available. You can check if the title is available by search here: https://mel.org/welcome
    • MeLCat loan periods are guaranteed for 3 weeks with a 3 week renewal whereas ILL loan periods are determined by the lending library with renewals not guaranteed.
    • In many cases we are able to borrow materials from other state funded universities. The loan periods in these cases are 3 months with a 30 day renewal.
    • Media loans in MeLCat are only for 7 or 14 days with no renewals.
    • Make sure to check the due date when you check out your MeL item in order to avoid any late fines or fees. 
• If you have special loan needs, please contact the Head of Access Services (Heather Fisher - hgfisher@svsu.edu) to make arrangements.