My request has disappeared

When we place an order for an item from another library, a brief (temporary) record is placed in our catalog for the title, and a hold is placed for the patron who ordered it. The tracking number on the title is the same as the number assigned by OCLC, the national database we use for ordering items.

Not all requests are filled on the first (or second) go-round. When a request bounces back to us as unfilled -- after visiting five libraries -- we remove the temporary record for the title with its tracking number, to avoid confusion. If we are able to find other libraries that have the item, we place another order for it. A new brief record is created -- with the new tracking number -- and a hold is placed for the patron.

If we are unable to locate any more libraries that own the item, we contact the patron. This is usually done by postcard, but if an e-mail address is included on the request form, we respond by e-mail.

There is sometimes a time lag between the deletion of one temporary record and its replacement by another. We handle many, many requests every day, and sometimes we have a backlog of new records to place in the catalog. We do the best we can to have all new records in by the end of our business day, but occasionally we have an overnight lag.

If you have any questions regarding your request, please feel free to contact us. Your local branch may be able to provide some information, but more detailed information is available from our department directly (I L L (at) c c p l (dot) org) or 805-6940.

It's nothing personal

Over the years we have had a number of requests we could not fill, for various reasons. Occasionally people will call to ask why. Their tones of voice range from quietly curious to spitting mad, wondering why we are conspiring to deny them their constitutional rights.

Most people understand, in the case of hard-to-find items, that libraries may not want to part with something that is irreplaceable. Others believe that paying taxes allows them to say and do whatever they please, regardless of rules or courtesy.

Frankly, we are so busy that we barely have time to register who is ordering items, much less set up personal vendettas against people. We don't walk into the library each day saying "Who are we not going to help today?" It is much easier and better for my ego to fill a request if I possibly can, but the realities of interlibrary loan sometimes work against us.

If we are not able to fill your request, it is not because we picked your request at random to shred. It is not part of a government plot. We search to the best of our ability, and most of the time we succeed. If sometimes we fail, it is NOT due to lack of trying.

It has been a very long week for us in Charleston. Compared with our firefighters, we librarians have an easy job. Interlibrary loan is not life and death, and no one will die if an item is not loaned, regardless of what it is.

Will I be notified if my item is unavailable?

Absolutely. We usually send hot pink postcards when this happens, which are designed to be an attention-grabber. We will send e-mail if an e-mail address is included on the request.

We don't telephone when items are unavailable. When we did this, people started showing up at the library thinking they could pick up an item, instead of listening to the message stating that the item was *NOT* available.

If you have questions regarding the status of your interlibrary loan request, please feel free to contact us at 805-6940 or i l l (at) c c p l (dot) org.