Participant Agreement

Iowa has a strong tradition of resource sharing among libraries.  The State Library facilitates interlibrary loan by providing automated systems and establishing networks.  Participating libraries agree to a number of provisions and protocols. A library agrees to abide to the provisions of SILO ILL by clicking "Accept Agreement" on the first login.

SILO Interlibrary Loan Participant Agreement

SILO Interlibrary Loan is open to any Iowa library with access to the Internet that is willing to abide by the provisions and protocols of the agreement. 

As LENDING libraries, SILO INTERLIBRARY LOAN participants agree to:  

• Loan items to eligible libraries if the request is sent in an acceptable manner.  
• Assess no INTERLIBRARY LOAN charges to eligible Iowa libraries as detailed in the Access Plus Letter of Agreement.
  
• Check the Internet for requests and responses on a regular basis (at least once per day when open).  
  
• Respond to requests from eligible Iowa libraries in a timely manner. If possible, respond to urgent requests within 4 hours.  
  
• Respond to SILO INTERLIBRARY LOAN using SILO INTERLIBRARY LOAN online forms.  
  
• Choose an appropriate method of delivery.  
  Provide updated status information on each pending request through SILO Interlibrary Loan.
  
• Notify the SILO server when the library will not be accepting requests for more than 4 days.
  

As BORROWING libraries, SILO INTERLIBRARY LOAN participants agree to:  

• Use the SILO INTERLIBRARY LOAN online forms to send requests when borrowing through SILO INTERLIBRARY LOAN.  
  
• For items other than books, check the lending libraries’ policies before sending the INTERLIBRARY LOAN request.  
  
• Comply with the U.S. copyright law and patron confidentiality laws.  
  
• FAX requests only for urgent items, mark the item as "urgent", and precede the FAX with a call.
  
• Use the SILO INTERLIBRARY LOAN protocols when sending requests:    

1. First choice:  Within the region  
2. Second choice:  Same type, considering:      
• Library size (smallest first)      
3. Third choice:  Libraries of different types (again, considering size).    
4. Fourth choice:  Libraries of last resort, including major lenders such as the State Library or the university libraries.    

SILO INTERLIBRARY LOAN participants agree to list their holdings with the SILO Locator as follows:  

• Contribute MARC records and holdings (additions and deletions) to the SILO Locator.    
• Adhere to minimum cataloging guidelines.   SILO INTERLIBRARY LOAN participants agree that they will not resell MARC records found on the SILO locator.  
  

“Sign” the Agreement online

The SILO Interlibrary Loan Participant Agreement appears after logging into the SILO Interlibrary Loan system.   The provisions of the Agreement spell out what is expected of a participating library when borrowing items from other Iowa libraries and what is expected when lending items to other libraries. When a library clicks on Accept Agreement, the library in effect, is signing an agreement. This “signature” will be documented and kept on file.

The SILO Interlibrary Loan Participant Agreement will continue to appear at this point until the SILO Interlibrary Loan password is changed.  (See Change SILO Interlibrary Loan Account Password) Once the password has been changed the Agreement will no longer appear.

Clicking on Reject Agreement will return the user to the SILO Homepage, and does not allow the library to borrow via SILO Interlibrary Loan.

View SILO Interlibrary Loan Participant Agreement

To view the SILO Interlibrary Loan Participant Agreement after the password has been changed:

1. Select Access Iowa Library Directory/Library Account Information from the SILO Interlibrary Loan System Menu.
   
2. Click on Submit Request button.
   
3. Select Show SILO Interlibrary Loan Participant Agreement from the menu by clicking on the button.
   
4. Click on Submit request button.
   
5. The Agreement will appear.
   

Iowa Interlibrary Loan Protocols

Agreement acceptance requires a library to follow the interlibrary loan protocols when borrowing items from other libraries.  Interlibrary loan protocols ensure consistency and help “level the load” of interlibrary loan activity.

SILO Interlibrary Loan’s built in protocols require that:

1. Like-type libraries borrow from each other first. For example, a public library requests an item from another public library before requesting the item from an academic library.
   
2. Smaller owning library receives the request before a larger library.
   
3. Requests are first sent to like-owning libraries in the same geographic area as the borrowing library first.
   

Under special circumstances, a library can over-ride the protocols. Generally, however, the protocols should not be circumvented.