CRL loans-processing

Finding out about CRL materials

Much of the Center's collection is not cataloged, and not represented in either the CRL local or Summit union catalog. For the materials in the union database, CRL cataloging and work flow practices may affect searching, access, and holdings display. For more information see the Information guide for staff.

Requesting materials

CRL members (OSU, Reed, UO, UW, WSU)

Summit Borrowing or ILL?

Patrons may request CRL materials via Summit Borrowing just like any other items in the union catalog, subject to the same general rules, with one exception: CRL materials are loaned for six months, instead of the standard 3-week period for Alliance member library materials. CRL materials with status "local use only" are not eligible for patron-initiated borrowing, but may be requested through ILL. (Generally, those would be non-print materials or non-monographic items which have a non-circulating item type code.) Moreover, CRL will loan monographs via ILL, even when available through Summit Borrowing.

Other Alliance institutions

If a patron requests a CRL item, the system will return this message:
Please check with ILL to request this item
Refer to your institution's policy on borrowing from CRL.

Processing the loan

CRL will fill requests right away, shipping items via UPS 2-day delivery. CRL mails materials to Alliance member libraries, using the list of ILL and SB addresses provided by the members.  If you haven't received a requested item within 4-5 working days, contact CRL directly.

The Summit Borrowing bookband for CRL materials is a different color - bright yellow - alerting staff about slight differences in procedure.

Check in the item, notify the patron, and process the patron loan as for any other SB loan.

Loan period
Patron loan: 6 months
Institution loan period, when CRL checks out the item to the borrowing site: 195 days

Return the item to CRL according to local policy, using CRL return label (do not use a courier bag). CRL provides the labels, addressed to:

The Center for Research Libraries
6050 South Kenwood Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637-2804

Lost items will be billed to the library directly by CRL. The Center charges the cost of the replacement, not the Alliance standard (average) fee. Alliance members will bill the patron according to local policy.