Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement Forms

Below are the forms required for participation in the Public Library Reciprocal Borrowing service. Forms are due to Kate Boyle by December 18, 2009.

• Reciprocal Borrowing Memo to Library Directors (please read before completing forms)
• Library Intergovernmental Agreement for Public Libraries or Public Library Districts
• Sample Resolution or Sample Ordinance for board passage
• List of Collection Agencies currently used by member libraries.

About Reciprocal Borrowing

Reciprocal Borrowing is a program that allows patrons with a valid public library card to borrow materials from another public library. In Reciprocal Borrowing, the patron travels to the material.

Search for a MLS member library Reciprocal Borrowing Policy or login to update your Reciprocal Borrowing policy.

Reciprocal Borrowing Procedures Manual

The MLS Resource Sharing Reciprocal Borrowing Procedures Manual dated May 2008 is now available. Every public library and participating academic library in the suburban MLS service area have been provided with a print copy. One can also view the Procedures Manual as a pdf.

Illinois Intersystem Reciprocal Borrowing Covenant

The Illinois Intersystem Reciprocal Borrowing Covenant defines the role of systems in the Reciprocal Borrowing of materials across system boundaries.

Brochure - “Your Public Library Card”

The system provides to suburban MLS member libraries the “Your Public Library Card” brochure. The " Your Public Library Card" brochure is available from the MLS Resource Sharing Office. In addition to English, the brochure is available in Spanish, Polish, and Arabic versions. You can request a supply of any of these brochures by contacting the Resource Sharing office at (630) 734-5160 or by completing the online form.

For those of you that are looking for the list of MLS public libraries from the back of the old "Your Public Library Card" brochure, you can access the brochure here as a pdf document. Please be aware that this information is not updated, so an address could be in error. In addition, the new version of the MLS Reciprocal Access Policy does not require Academic libraries to participate in Reciprocal Borrowing. Therefore, the list of Academic libraries participating in Reciprocal Borrowing included at the bottom of the page is no longer accurate.

Contact and Support

For any questions regarding Reciprocal Borrowing, please contact Edlyn LeFevour, MLS Reciprocal Borrowing Facilitator, at (630) 734-5161.

Let’s Talk Resource Sharing - Reciprocal Borrowing

Here is the PowerPoint presentation (PDF) given at MLS in August and September 2006 about Reciprocal Borrowing.

Statistics

Non-SWAN libraries are asked to report their Reciprocal Borrowing statistics by the fifth of the month.  Electronic filing of statistics is preferred; please contact Edlyn LeFevour for particulars.

Libraries not participating in Intersystem Reciprocal Borrowing

The following libraries do not participate in Intersystem Reciprocal Borrowing:

• Park Ridge PL / NSLS
• Skokie PL / NSLS