Distance Learners - Policies / FAQ

Who qualifies as a distance learner?

For interlibrary loan and document delivery purposes, a distance learner is defined as a patron who is taking only UCF web-based courses.

If I live in the United States, what kind of service can I expect to receive from the UCF ILL department?

You may expect to receive the same service as you would if you were taking classes at a branch or regional campus. We will fill your requests for books and articles.

If I live outside of the United States, what kind of service can I expect to receive from the UCF ILL department?

Copies: We will fill as many article and book chapter requests as we can.
Books: Available from our collection only.
Multimedia materials: Due to heavy usage and short loan periods, we are unable to circulate items from this collection.
Special Collections and or Archives: We would be happy to photocopy pages, but we are unable to circulate items from collection.

How do I submit a request to the Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Service (ILL/DDS)?

Submit both interlibrary loan and document delivery requests by clicking on the ILL button in the various electronic databases or by using the Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Services webpage.

How will I receive my requests?

All loan item(s) will be mailed to the address listed in your ILL patron profile. All non-returnables (copies) will be sent to your email account via desktop delivery. It is your responsibility to maintain an up-to-date email and mailing address. You must provide a street address and not a P.O. Box.

How can I tell if the item is owned by UCF or borrowed through Interlibrary Loan?

If the book has a UCF barcode and bears a stamp of “UCF Libraries,” “FTU,” or Rosen it is owned by UCF. The items that have the UCF barcode will be checked out on your valid Library ID. Items that are borrowed through Interlibrary Loan will have a removable book label on the front of the loaned item(s). (Do not remove the label.) When in doubt about whether or not the loaned item(s) are owned by UCF, please call ILL/DDS at 407-823-2353.

How do I renew books that are owned by UCF and sent to me through the Document Delivery Service?

You may renew returnable items that are owned by the UCF libraries using the online renewal form. All questions regarding online renewals should be addressed to the UCF Circulation Department (407-823-2580).

How do I renew books that are Interlibrary Loan items?

Ninety-nine percent of all interlibrary loan materials are not available for renewal to distance learners. Please abide by the due date on the removable book label (please do not remove the label) for all interlibrary loan requests. Renewal requests will not be granted if the returnable item is overdue. If you do need to renew an item, you must call the interlibrary loan office at 407-823-2383.

What if the material I need is on microfilm or microfiche, such as ERIC documents, newspapers, or selected journals?

Some ERIC Documents are available online. Please check http://www.edrs.com/logon.cfm to obtain the document if it was published after 1993. Otherwise, order through interlibrary loan.

The Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Services Department will attempt to send ERIC Documents and other items that are on microfiche or microfilm in paper format. If the document exceeds 100 pages, the Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Services Department will send you the microfilm or microfiche instead.

Who is responsible for returnables if the item is lost in the mail?

You are responsible for library items you borrow until the material(s) is received back at the University of Central Florida Libraries, main campus. You will be charged for lost items. Replacement charges typically range from $75.00 to $100.00. Unpaid Cashier bills result in the inability to register for classes or to receive grades.

What is the loan period?

The loan period varies depending upon the type of item that is being loaned and what the lending institution mandates as their loan period. Always check the book label on the front of the book or, if the item is owned by UCF, check the due date slip in the back of the book or check online.

What if the item is housed at the Curriculum Materials Center (CMC), the Universal Foundation Library at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management or one of the other Regional campuses?

Items at the branch libraries are available for check-out as long as they are not on reserve or a part of the reference collection.

What if the item I am requesting is housed in the Special Collection and Archives Department?

These items are not available for loan. You may use them in-house only.

What is the overdue policy?

You are responsible for any overdue fines that are accrued if items are not returned by the due date for Document Delivery items. Please allow travel time when you are mailing items back to UCF.

Items that are filled through Interlibrary Loan are not subject to overdue fines, but you will be blocked from all future ILL/DDS until the item has been returned and all records all cleared.

How do I return returnables?

Each item should include a return label. You will need to send the item back directly to University of Central Florida Libraries, main campus. Your record will not be cleared until the book arrives back at the University of Central Florida Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Services.

Who pays for the postage?

The University of Central Florida Libraries will pay for the postage to send the item to you. You, the patron, are responsible for mailing or bringing the item back to the UCF main campus.

Last updated August 18, 2011 3:30:23 PM