Interlibrary Loan Policy

Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a statewide cooperative program that connects Superior Public Library patrons with resources beyond the Northern Waters Library Service consortium. Through these special lending agreements, Superior Public Library patrons have access to items across Wisconsin’s network of catalogs and collections.

Interlibrary loan items can be found through WISCAT, Wisconsin’s statewide interlibrary loan service and resource sharing platform. Patrons can request items directly from WISCAT, or work with librarians to find and request items not located in the Northern Waters consortium.

Patron Guidelines

Use of the interlibrary loan service through Superior Public Library is only available to Wisconsin residents that have a valid Superior Public Library card that is in good standing. Superior Public Library will not process interlibrary loan requests from patrons that have been blocked from using interlibrary loan services at another consortium library.

Patrons should always check Superior Public Library’s catalog first. Items located in Superior’s catalog may not be requested through WISCAT. Newly released materials are not available through Interlibrary Loan. Requests for items published within the previous six months will be declined.

Patrons may not place a WISCAT request for the same title more than three times in a twelve-month period. Patrons are limited to five requests per week. Patrons are strongly encouraged to limit their requests to the materials they are able to use and return within a three-week period. If more materials are requested than can be used, the library will not hold those items past the return date.

Interlibrary loan requests take longer to process. Loan requests may take up to six weeks or longer to fill. Lending decisions are made by the owning libraries. Submission of a request does not guarantee that the item can be obtained.

Notification

When interlibrary loan materials arrive, they are processed and a hold is placed on the patron’s account. Notification will be by the same method the patron has chosen for regular holds: phone, email, or text.

Since interlibrary loan materials are requested through WISCAT, they do not appear on patrons’ accounts in our catalog. To inquire about the status of a request, please contact interlibrary loan staff.

Renewals

Interlibrary loan materials are renewable at the lending library’s discretion. Not all items are renewable. Renewal requests must be made at least three days prior to the due date to give the lending library time to respond.

To check on the possibility of renewing an item, please contact interlibrary loan staff.

Late Returns and Charges

Patrons must take care to return all interlibrary loan materials on time at the Superior Public Library, or one of its branches in Lake Nebagamon or Solon Springs. The patron is responsible for any costs if an item is lost or damaged. There is no “claims returned” status for interlibrary loan materials. Notice of overdue materials follows the library’s Circulation Policy.

In addition, interlibrary loan staff may contact you directly in regard to overdue materials or suspension of privileges.

Suspension of Interlibrary Loan Privileges

Interlibrary loan privileges may be suspended for up to six months for the following reasons:

  • Failure to return materials ten or more days after the due date.
  • Repeated failure to pick up requested materials.
  • Returning interlibrary loan materials to a library other than Superior Public Library or its branches in Lake Nebagamon and Solon Springs.
  • Failure to comply with the conditions of a loan that could jeopardize our lending privileges with other libraries.
  • Outstanding replacement costs or processing fees.
  • Repeated failure to comply with this policy.

Patron Responsibilities

Patrons are responsible for:

  • Picking up and returning requested materials at the Superior Public Library or one of its branches. Returning items at other libraries may result in suspension of interlibrary loan service.
  • Returning materials by the due date.
  • If material is lost or damaged, the patron is responsible for the cost of the material and any processing fees charged by the lending library.

Patrons that consistently abuse interlibrary loan borrowing privileges may face a suspension of interlibrary loan service for up to six months. It is crucial that materials borrowed be returned by the due date. Patrons will be held responsible for any charges incurred for damaged or lost materials as set by the lending library. Refunds are not given for lost materials that are found and have been paid for.

The Library Director or designee may grant exceptions to this policy when appropriate.

Questions about Interlibrary Loan:

Please contact 715-394-8860 or illstaff@superiorlibrary.org

Approved by the Library Board on September 9, 2026