Appalachian College Association Bowen Central Library of Appalachia

Reciprocal Use Program

The Appalachian College Association (ACA) Bowen Central Library of Appalachia (BCLA) Reciprocal Use Program was created to permit faculty, staff, and students of participating ACA libraries to go in person to one or more other participating ACA libraries to borrow materials not available at the patron’s home institution library and/or utilize electronic resources. Use of electronic resources is subject to local campus policies. The user will pay any standard fee charged by the lending library for a special borrower’s card.

Interlibrary loan policies and procedures will be followed when the user does not go in person to the lending institution, but uses the resources of the borrowing institution to secure needed materials.

Use of Electronic Resources

In-person use of electronic resources will be subject to local campus policies. Use of electronic resources varies by institution. Please call the library ahead of time to find out their policies. If appropriate, a valid institutional identification card may be required.

Borrowing and Lending of Physical Materials

Patron Eligibility

Faculty, staff, and students of ACA institutions may request to borrow materials from any participating library. The lending library can withhold borrowing privileges from any patrons who do not comply with institutional policies and procedures. The lending library may choose not to lend to patrons from non-participating libraries.

Borrowers must present a valid form of photo identification, such as an institutional ID, as well as proof of current status in order to borrow materials. This proof of current status could include faculty or staff showing an entry in the campus directory or student showing a course schedule. The borrower’s home library is requested to provide verification if needed.

Loan periods

Loan periods and restrictions on the number and types of materials that can be borrowed at one time will be determined by the lending library. Renewals are at the discretion of the lending library. The lending library may set different loan periods for different types of materials and may determine which types of materials may be borrowed via this program.

Returns

The borrower is responsible for returning items to the lending library. Some items may be turned into the home library and it is requested that the home library return the item to the lending library according to ILL procedures whenever possible. The item is not considered to be returned until it is checked in at the lending library. The borrower will be responsible for any fines that accrue up until that point.