Jackson County Public Library

Need something from another library? Just ask!

The library requests and receives dozens of books, movies, and other materials several times a week from libraries around the state and across the country. Filling requests usually take a minimum of two to three weeks, but if there's a reason to rush, let us know.

The process of getting books from other libraries and loaning to them in return is known as Interlibrary Loan (ILL). The ILL Specialist processes the requests. To be eligible for ILL, library users must have a library card in good standing - that is, with fines and fees totaling no more than $4.99.

Bright gold forms are available at most library service desks for requesting ILL services. They are titled "Interlibrary Loan/Materials Purchase Request Form." The library may decide to purchase the material, rather than borrowing it, if it is available and if the librarians who select materials believe the item may interest a number of library users.

The Library Catalog (accessed by clicking the second button from the left on the teal-colored navigation bar at the top of each page) also offers the option of clicking on the "I Need Material" tab to make an ILL request online. You will need to include your barcode at the bottom of the form so the library will know who to notify about the material. Click here for more information on using your personal account on the catalog.

No charge is made by the JCPL libraries for ILL service, but if other libraries charge or if extraordinary charges are added for shipping, those charges will be passed along to the local borrower. Most of the loans still are completed without charge - a bargain these days. The library also may be able to offer alternative sources to meet user needs.

While Interlibrary Loan once was limited to essential materials for research, it now includes movies on current recording devices as well as fiction.

Histories and microfilmed records and newspapers for historical and genealogical research often can be accessed through Interlibary Loan.

Fees and conditions of use, such as in-library use or length of the loan period, are set by the lending institution.

Check here to read this library's Interlibrary Loan Policy. What can we find for you today?

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Instructions for accessing your personal account on the Library Catalog:

If you have not previously chosen a PIN number, use the term "CHANGEME" (as one word in all capital letters) in the PIN field on the catalog. You can change your PIN anytime by asking a staff member at any JCPL library or by logging into your account on the catalog. The login is at the top of the catalog, toward the right side. After logging in and clicking on "My Account," in addition to changing your PIN, you can look at titles you have checked out or placed on hold, renew items, and request a change of address.

To place a hold on an item from the library catalog:

Perform a search to find the title you would like. If it is within a list of results, click on the "Details" button to the left of the title. (If there is only one result, there will not be a "Details" button.) This will bring up more information about the title. At this page, click on "Place Hold" in the column on the left side. Then in the "User ID" field, key in your library barcode number without the spaces. You can ignore the "Alternate ID," but you will need to enter a PIN. You can also use this screen to indicate at which library you would like to pick up the item. Click on "Place Hold," and you will get a confirmation screen; then click "OK," and you're done!

You can, of course, also call any library during its open hours to have the hold placed for you.

In order to request material from the library through the library's online catalog, iBistro, you can do the following:

Click on "I Need Material." You may then choose either "Interlibrary Loan" or "Recommend to Order." Either of these choices will bring up a screen where there will be several fields for information. Fill in as many as you can. Near the bottom of the page, there is a blank for your user ID. This is your library barcode number, a 14-digit number entered without any spaces. It is necessary to enter the number to link your material to your name. You can ignore the "Alternate ID" field. Hitting "Send" will submit your request.

For more information on using the catalog, you also can click on the help link on any catalog page.

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Search Engines offer a variety of search possibilities for finding information

Google has speciality searches in addition to a general search

Webcrawler is an alternate search engine

Search Engine Showdown has news & reviews about search engines, including specialty searches, and discusses search strategies

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