Interlibrary Loan Textbooks

Policy

Though we understand that textbook prices are high, we will not order any edition of a book that is required in a course syllabus (in other words, a textbook) through Interlibrary Loan for the following reasons:

1. Interlibrary loan services do not meet student needs for ordering textbooks.
  • Interlibrary loan books take 1-2 weeks to arrive.
    Because so few libraries own textbooks, we often have to request textbooks from out-of-state libraries. The process of requesting, shipping, and receiving the textbooks takes 1-2 weeks.
  • Students can only keep interlibrary loan textbooks for three weeks.
    Loan periods set by lending libraries do not allow students to keep a textbook for an entire course.
  • Most libraries do not own textbooks.
    Most libraries do not purchase textbooks for their collections, including Saint Mary’s. If a library does purchase a textbook for its collection, the textbook is often placed on restricted course reserve for use by their students.
2. Interlibrary loan services are not intended for ordering textbooks.

Interlibrary loan services were established to assist students and faculty with borrowing supplementary materials for class-related research.

3. Purchasing textbooks is the responsibility of the student.

Similar to paying tuition and fees, acquiring textbooks and other required course materials is the responsibility of the student.