Borrowing From Other Libraries 

 • What is this service?

If you would like to use a book or article not owned by the ACC Library for your research, we may be able to obtain the material from another library. Through this interlibrary loan service we can get access to what is owned by thousands of other libraries.

• Who can use it?

Interlibrary loan service is available to all ACC students, faculty and staff.

• Is there a cost?

It is a free service. We have arranged reciprocal agreements with many libraries so materials are lent to us without charge.

• How long does it take?

In most cases, we can obtain the item in about a week. This depends on the lending library's distance, their procedures, the item's availability, mail or delivery schedules, and the completeness of the information you supply to us. Sometimes it takes longer with those variables.

• What can be borrowed?

Books can be borrowed, usually for three or four weeks. The loan period is set by the lending library.

Articles will be copied by the lending library. You may keep article copies.

• What cannot usually be borrowed?

Reference books, rare books, popular fiction, microfilm, dissertations, technical reports, videos and many other audiovisual materials usually are not lent. These items might not normally circulate, are fragile, or are in high demand by the lending library's patrons.

• How does interlibrary loan work?

First, check our catalog and Periodicals List to make sure this library does not own the book or magazine. A librarian can help you with that. A librarian can also check to see if an article is full-text in one of our databases, or refer you to a nearby library which may own the item. .

Also, consider if similar information could be found within our library, eliminating the need to go elsewhere. Ask a reference librarian for assistance.

After investigating those options, ask the reference librarian for an interlibrary loan form. Fill in the information, also noting where you found the item listed. Return the form to the librarian to review and initial.

• How do I know if my material has arrived?

The library staff will contact you when the book or article arrives. It will be kept for you at the Circulation Desk in the library. You may also stop by the Circulation Desk at any time to check if your items have arrived.

We will let you know if it is not possible to obtain the item by the time you need it.

• Is there a limit?

So that the largest number of students may be helped, we ask that students request no more than five books or three articles at one time.

• How does the ACC Library discover who owns the material I want?

Our library staff will search this WorldCat, a book database listing millions of items owned by thousands of libraries. We will check libraries within the Capital District, New York State and then the United States at large if necessary. We then transmit an electronic request to up to five libraries in turn until we receive a "yes" answer, or until you no longer need the item.

• Does the ACC Library lend items to other libraries?

Yes. The ACC Library receives requests from many other libraries around the United States asking us to lend our material to their patrons.

• What else should I know?

Interlibrary loan is a service based on courtesy between libraries. You are responsible for returning books on time. You are also responsible for any overdue fines and book replacement costs that the lending library may charge.

• What if I don't have a full citation?

If you need help verifying the title, author, date or other information about your item, ask a reference librarian. We do need to provide complete information to the lending libraries.

• What if I want to renew a book obtained through interlibrary loan?

We abide by the rules of the library that lent us the book. Some allow renewals; many do not. If you think you would like to renew the book, let us know at least three days before the due date so we can send them a message and they can check their records and respond.

Library Information:

 Library hours vary according to the college calendar. Call the library (518) 743-2260 - or check the Library's Web page: http://library.sunyacc.edu.

If you'd like to borrow a book or get a copy of an article not available at the ACC Library, print and complete the form below. You may attach a print-out of a book or article citation to the form if wanted. Give the form to an ACC reference librarian. 

Plese note this service is limited to ACC students, faculty and staff.

• SALS/MVLA - This catalog contains the combined holdings of local public libraries, including Crandall and  Saratoga Springs Public Libraries.
• CaDiLaC Online maintains virtual connections to the region's catalogs.  Included is a database of local library journal holdings.  Please enter as guest.
• SUNY Plattsburgh Branch Campus students may borrow material directly from Plattsburgh's Feinburg Library.

If a book you'd like is not nearby, we will be happy to (ILL) request it from afar! Use the links below to get more information on a book or that title's locations worldwide.  Request your ILL form  at the Reference Desk.

• SUNY Union Catalog - from the SUNY Office of Library and Information Service.
• WorldCat is a world-wide online catalog listing almost 100 million books and other material owned by libraries around the world. The database displays a list of libraries that own the books.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
• The Library of Congress Catalogs