Townsend library provides the service to obtain materials available and not available in the NMSU Library collection on behalf of an eligible requestor; and also provides materials that are available in the collection to requesting libraries, research centers, and others. In accordance with the New Mexico Privacy Act, no one outside of the library staff will have access to the information on items requested or used. Records will be maintained only to the extent needed for managing related systems, databases, and operations. 

Eligibility for these services include current and emeritus faculty, regular and retired staff, and currently enrolled students in good standing. Alumni with proof of current NMSU Alumni Association membership, and visiting faculty and scholars with an active Banner account are also eligible to use these services. This service is not available for public patrons. 

Library staff will make every attempt to obtain requested materials at no charge to the patron by taking full advantage of fair use, open-access, and resource sharing agreements. Fees are determined by the lending libraries. Generally, there are no fees charged for obtaining materials. However, in some cases a cost-recovery charge may incur if copyright limits have been reached and/or if requests can only be filled by fee-based external institutions. Prior to filling a fee-based request the patron will be contacted and informed of the fee and at that time can cancel the request or give permission for the fulfillment and billing to their account. 

Procedures for Inter-library loan (ILL) or Request It! 

Faculty/Staff/Students can use the Request It! feature on our website to request materials from other NMSU campuses when found through the online card catalog. Patrons will need an active account in the NMSU Banner system in order to register for the services on our website. First-time users are required to set up this account with their my.nmus.edu username and password. A working email address and phone number is required for notification and communication purposes. There is not a limit to the number of requests allowed. Although during high research periods internal prioritization may occur to ensure all patrons are served. 

Turnaround time varies based on the material format type, location of the item, shipping (USPS, Courier, or electronic), and peak periods during the academic year. Allow at least 10 days from the time your request was turned in to receive your materials. 

Once the item is found in the card catalog with another NMSU library the patron can click the hyperlink next to ‘Request’ on the screen and fill out the form that generates on the next screen. Patrons will be notified of the status of their requests and will be provided instructions via email. If a patron is having difficulty with the request form they may come to the circulation desk and ask for assistance.  

This library does not have after hours services for pick-up. Returnable materials are available for pick-up at the circulation desk during regular library hours. Non-returnable materials are typically made available electronically and are typically only available for 15 days from the date of posting . Materials are affixed with a book strap that includes due date, title, conditions, etc. These book straps must not be removed by the borrower.  

Items not normally loaned include, but are not limited to: 

• Reference 
• Codes & Standards 
• E-books 
• Archives & Special Collections 
• Maps 
• Bound and unbound periodicals 
• Reserves 
• New Mexico State documents 
• Electronic devices (laptops, e-readers, etc.) 
•   

ILL Renewals 

Patrons are emailed a courtesy notice prior to the due date, and therefore should not wait until the due date to request a renewal. Best practice is to send the renewal request to the Townsend Library ILL point of contact by  phone at least three days prior to your due date.  

Renewals are at the discretion of the lending facility, and all materials are subject to immediate recall as well. This includes non-NMSU facilities. Overdue fees may be applied from the lending library which is billable to the patron. Patrons who have not returned overdue or recalled materials will immediately have their library privileges suspended until the issue has been resolved. Townsend library could face suspension of loan privileges by the lending facilities in this instance.  

Financial Responsibility 

Any charges imposed by the lending library for lost, non-returned, or damaged materials (to include overdue or other fines), are the responsibility of the patron, not Townsend Library. Penalties include: 

• Suspension of library privileges 
• A block for subsequent course registration and/or transcript requests 
• Bad debt status within the NMSU system 

Interlibrary loan via non-NMSU facilities 

Requests outside the NMSU library facilities are possible. Speak with the ILL point of contact about the proper procedures to make the request. A small form will need to be filled out  and staff will enter the request to the OCLC system manually for the patron. All procedures for the loaned materials are the same as above for the NMSU library facilities ILL services. These requests can be submitted to a wider range of facilities nationwide that may have the materials available for use.