Need a book that is not in our collection? Have you tried to access an article online only to be blocked by a pricey paywall? As a member of the Mechanics’ Institute, you can borrow almost any book, or get a copy of an article from another library, using our Interlibrary Loan service. Interlibrary Loan, also known as ILL, allows the Library to borrow items from other participating libraries including the California State Library, libraries in the University of California system, and hundreds of others across the country.
What does it cost? The service is free, but members cover the price of postage, plus any fees charged by the lender library. The cost, including postage, can range anywhere from $3 to $50 depending on the item and the lender library's lending policies. Copies vary from $0.25 per page to $15 per article. Members are asked to specify the maximum amount that they are willing to pay to borrow an item.
How long can I check out the item? The average loan period is 3 weeks; possibly longer if a renewal is granted by the lender library.
How can I submit a request? Visit www.milibrary.org/services/ill or complete an ILL form at the 2nd or 3rd floor circulation desk. It will take between two to six weeks to fill a request, which accounts for the time the lending library spends to accept and process a request, as well as to ship the item to our library. We will contact you as soon as the item is available for pick-up. Please note that we will not borrow items that can be checked out at a local library (i.e. San Francisco Public Library, etc.).
In most instances, member purchase suggestions help us acquire new or popular titles that are not in the collection, but when an item is difficult to obtain or is beyond the subject scope of the library, ILL is there to get you what you need. For more information contact Cherilyn Banson at 415-393-0101 or [email protected].
