Interlibrary Loan Policy

Interlibrary loan is a service that supports the mission of the library by providing enhanced access to library materials and information.  The purpose of interlibrary loan is to obtain materials not available in the library and to provide material from the collection to other libraries.  The library affirms that interlibrary loan is an adjunct to, not a substitute for, the library’s collection.  The New Castle Public Library recognizes the value of interlibrary cooperation as a means of reducing costs and increasing service.  Such cooperation allows our library users access to a greater range of resources without requiring the library to purchase or store those resources.  To that end:

  • The library will maintain access to the New Hampshire Automated Information System (NHAIS) and Statewide Database Licensing Project (NHewLINK) and use these to offer interlibrary loan and database access to its users.
  • The library will maintain its holdings on NHAIS so that other libraries can borrow from our collection.
  • The library will maintain membership in the Seacoast Area Libraries – a group of 19 local libraries who meet monthly and work collaboratively.
  • The Director will be responsible for establishing and maintaining informal contact with schools, libraries and community groups in order to facilitate the sharing of resources.
  • The library will not seek loans of materials that have been published within the last six months.
  • Items in frequent or recurring demand will be considered for purchase.
  • The library will be responsible for materials borrowed on behalf of its patrons.  The library agrees to pay for overdue charges, damage, or loss of materials borrowed on interlibrary loan.  The library will endeavor to collect any charges for overdue materials, loss, or damage from the patron who received the materials and lost or damaged them.

Adopted by the New Castle Public Library Board of Trustees, June 21, 2011.  Reviewed 2/18/14.  Reviewed 3/22/16. Reviewed 2/19/19.  Revised & adopted February 15, 2022.