Explore Microfilm: Bpl's Lending Options

The Brooklyn Public Library, Boston Public Library, and Bentonville Public Library all offer interlibrary loan services. Through these services, patrons can request print books, microfilm, and other materials that are not in the library's collection from other libraries. However, it is unclear whether the libraries themselves loan out their microfilm copies to other libraries or individuals. To request microfilm from the Archives of Ontario, an email can be sent to [email protected].

Interlibrary loan (ILL)

The history of interlibrary loans dates back to the 8th century CE in Western Europe, with informal borrowing and lending between libraries. In 1876, Massachusetts librarian Samuel Swett Green proposed an interlibrary loan system based on European examples. In 1894, Joseph C. Rowell initiated the first program of interlibrary lending at U.C. Berkeley with the California State Library. In 1917, the American Library Association (ALA) established a national code for interlibrary loans in the United States, which was most recently revised in 2015.

Today, libraries transmit requests electronically through OCLC, DOCLINE, or other networks. When an electronic request is unavailable, the ALA Interlibrary Loan Request Form can be used. The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) guides interlibrary loan policies internationally, with country-specific networks such as Gateway Bayern in Germany and the National Library of New Zealand.

ILL services are also available at other libraries, such as UMass Boston, where current students, faculty, and staff may request materials through Interlibrary Loan using the ILLiad software. However, alumni and students from other institutions are not eligible for ILL services at Healey Library.

BPL cardholders

Borrowing microfilm from the Archives of Ontario is possible by emailing your request to [email protected]. Microfilm is also available through interlibrary loan (ILL) services, which allow cardholders to request print books and other library materials not available in their library's collection from other libraries.

The Brooklyn Public Library, for example, offers ILL services to valid BPL cardholders for print books, but not for books already owned by the library, including reference materials. The Bentonville Public Library also offers ILL services to BPL cardholders in good standing, excluding those with temporary cards.

It is important to note that the lending library usually sets the cost for ILL services, and patrons may be required to return or pay for lost items before borrowing more. Additionally, some libraries may have specific requirements for requesting microfilm, such as the New York State Archives, which lends microfilm to libraries and not individuals.

Requesting microfilm

To request microfilm from the Archives of Ontario, you can email your request to [email protected]. If the microfilm you are looking for is not available, you can suggest that the library acquires it by completing a form. This is only available to BPL cardholders, who may request up to five items within 30 days.

The Brooklyn Public Library also offers an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service, allowing cardholders to request print books that are not in their collection from other libraries in the United States. Requests can be made in person at any open BPL branch, and notifications about the arrival of materials will be sent via email, text message, or phone.

The Bentonville Public Library also offers an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service to BPL cardholders in good standing. After submitting a request, it may take several weeks to get a response. Interlibrary loan materials can be checked out for a two-week period and must be picked up and returned at the Reference Desk.

Requests for microfilm from the New York State Archives must be made through a local library, as loans are not made to individuals. Librarians can send requests to [email protected] or by mail, providing the following information:

• Name of the requesting institution
• Full mailing address
• Phone number
• Roll number(s)
• Name of the researcher for whom the ILL is requested (optional)

Borrowing from other libraries

To initiate an interlibrary loan request, start by checking the BPL catalogue to ensure that the desired title is not already available within the BPL system. Subsequently, explore the offerings of partner libraries to identify if they possess the desired copy, which can be borrowed directly from them. Additionally, examine BPL's digital resources, such as Hoopla and Kanopy, to determine if the item can be accessed online.

Once you have confirmed that the title is not available within the BPL network or through digital means, you can proceed with the interlibrary loan request. This process is facilitated through ILLiad, a platform that allows you to place your request. It is important to note that BPL cardholders may request up to five items within a 30-day period, with a maximum of three of those items acquired through interlibrary loan if eligible.

When submitting an interlibrary loan request, ensure that you provide all the necessary information, including the name of the requesting institution, its full mailing address, and a phone number. The cost of the loan is determined by the lending library, and it is important to be mindful of their policies regarding renewals, holds, and returns. Generally, interlibrary loan items from the Bentonville Public Library, for instance, are loaned out for a period of two weeks with no renewals.

It is worth noting that some materials may not be available for interlibrary loan. This includes print books already owned by BPL, reference materials, and items that are deemed too new for loan. Additionally, there is no guarantee that a lending library will be willing to part with their materials, and requested books may be non-circulating, lost, or checked out. Nevertheless, interlibrary loans provide a valuable opportunity to access resources beyond the BPL collection.

Loan periods and renewals

The loan period and renewal policies for microfilm at BPL vary depending on the specific library and the nature of the request. Here is a detailed breakdown:

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL)

Brooklyn Public Library offers an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service, which allows valid BPL cardholders to request print books that are not in their collection from other libraries in the United States. While they do not specify the loan period for microfilm specifically, they mention that patrons cannot place holds, renew, or check out any physical library material until they have returned lost items or paid for their replacement.

Boston Public Library (BPL)

The Boston Public Library also provides an Interlibrary Loan service, allowing patrons to borrow materials from other libraries if they cannot find what they are looking for in the BPL collection. However, they do not explicitly mention loan periods or renewal policies for microfilm.

Bentonville Public Library (BPL)

The Bentonville Public Library's Interlibrary Loan service allows BPL cardholders in good standing to borrow items from other libraries. They specify that interlibrary loan materials can be checked out for a two-week period, and renewals are not allowed.

BPL Ontario

BPL Ontario does not provide specific information on loan periods or renewals for microfilm. However, they mention that BPL cardholders may request up to five items within 30 days, and out of those five, a maximum of three can be acquired through interlibrary loan if eligible.

In summary, the loan periods and renewals for microfilm at BPL libraries depend on the specific branch and their policies. While some libraries, like Brooklyn Public Library and BPL Ontario, do not specify the loan period for microfilm, others, like Bentonville Public Library, have a set two-week loan period for interlibrary loans without the option for renewals. It is always best to check with your local BPL library to understand their specific loan periods and renewal policies for microfilm.

Frequently asked questions