If an item is listed in the catalog as INPROCESS (items recently received and not yet cataloged), you can request that that the item be cataloged for you. The normal processing time for cataloging an in-process request is 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.

To request an in-process item, email the title and author (and any other relevant information) to ask@etown.libanswers.com with “In-Process Request” as the email subject.

Once the item has been cataloged it will be held for you at the library circulation desk. You will be notified via email that the item is ready for pick-up. These items will be held for one week from the time of notification.

What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

Interlibrary loan, also known as “ILL,” is a service that assists students, faculty, and staff in obtaining materials from other libraries. ILL relies on the cooperative efforts and goodwill of thousands of librarians who are willing to share their collections with others.

Who may borrow?

The High Library is pleased to provide ILL service for all current members of the Elizabethtown College community – students, faculty, and staff.

What may I borrow?
You may request the following materials via ILL:

• Books not owned by the High Library
• Books owned by the High Library that are currently checked out, missing, or at the bindery
• Journal articles not available in print, microfilm, or electronic format at the High Library
• Sound recordings, scores, videos, DVDs, and books on tape/CD not owned by the High Library

You may NOT request the following materials via ILL:

• Reference materials
• New bestsellers and books that have not yet been published
• Books that are available in the High Library, including items on reserve
• E-books
• Textbooks
• Entire issues or volumes of periodicals or newspapers

Keep in mind that all libraries abide by the rules and guidelines outlined in the Interlibrary Loan Code of the United States, and that our ability to borrow items depends on other libraries’ willingness to lend them. Older, rare, and valuable titles may be difficult to borrow. 

How many ILL requests may I submit?

We will process up to ten requests per day, per person. Additional requests will be filled as time permits.

How long does it take to fill a request?

The average length of time needed to receive physical materials—books, DVDs, scores, etc.—via ILL is five to seven days. Journal articles delivered electronically will often arrive more quickly. Please remember to plan ahead for any ILL request in order to allow for adequate delivery time.

Are you able to rush an ILL item?

No. ILL requests are processed as they are received, up to ten requests per person per day.

What are the loan periods for ILL materials?

• The loan periods for books and other physical materials are determined by the lending libraries, so the due dates may vary from one week to several months.  The due date for each item is printed on the label attached to the front of that item. You may also keep track of your ILL due dates online through your ILLiad account: https://illiad.etown.edu/illiad/logon.html.
• Articles will be delivered electronically whenever possible and may be accessed online through your ILLiad account for 30 days: https://illiad.etown.edu/illiad/logon.html. If we do receive an actual photocopy of an article, you may keep that copy.

May I renew my ILL materials?

Note that the lending libraries make all final decisions regarding renewals.  You may request renewals for eligible items online through your ILLiad account: https://illiad.etown.edu/illiad/logon.html.

A few things to keep in mind about renewals:

• The renewal period is often shorter than the original loan period.
• If the due date has already passed for an ILL item, some libraries will not allow a renewal.
• A renewal request may be denied even if the item is not overdue.
• You will be notified via email if the request is denied, or with the new due date if the request is approved.

Are there fees for interlibrary loan materials?

No! The High Library is proud to offer Interlibrary Loan services for free to students, faculty, and staff; and, with a few exceptions, we are happy to cover the costs of borrowing items. If there is an additional charge for borrowing an item, apart from our usual mailing and processing costs, we will contact you first to find out how you wish to proceed.

However, while we don’t charge overdue fines for ILL, your ILL privileges may be suspended if you have one or more overdue items. Please make sure to return or renew ILL materials on time, or contact the ILL staff if you need any assistance.

How do I contact the ILL staff?

ILL staff may be reached by phone at 717-361-1451 or via email at illiad@etown.edu. Please note that ILL staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5pm.

If you need evening or weekend assistance, please contact the reference desk at 717-361-1461 or via email at ask@etown.libanswers.com.

The High Library makes available a variety of technologies to the Elizabethtown College community.

• These technologies may only be checked out to active Elizabethtown College students, staff and faculty with a valid College ID.
• Borrowed technologies must not be left unattended.
• Food and drink are not permitted near borrowed technologies.
• All borrowed technologies must be returned directly to the Circulation desk.
• Users assume full responsibility for damage, loss or theft of the borrowed technology. If a technology item requires replacement, a replacement charge will be added to the borrower’s account.

Circulation Policies:

• Laptops circulate overnight, and can be renewed up to three times. A power cord will be checked out with the computer.
• Laptops and power cords are due by the end of the day on the due date.
• iPads and Swivls circulate for 3 days.

The library is open to outside users. Outside users who wish to borrow from the library can visit the circulation desk to open an account. Outside users may borrow up to 8 items at a time from the Main, Juvenile, CD, and DVD collections. They may not borrow Bestsellers, Games, Journals, or Technology, although they may use them in-library. DVDs circulate for 2 weeks; all other items circulate for up to 60 days. They cannot be renewed.

Types of outside users:

• Alumni: Alumni must show proof of their alumni status to obtain a free High Library card. This can be obtained at the alumni office. Family of Staff/Faculty/Students: Family must be accompanied by the staff member/faculty member/student that they are related to, in order to obtain a free High Library card.
• ACLCP/PALCI: The High Library is a member of the Associated College Libraries of Central Pennsylvania (ACLCP), as well as the Partnership for Academic Library Collaboration and Innovation (PALCI). Any faculty, student, or staff from one of these associated colleges may request a free High Library card. They must provide a valid college ID.
• Seminary Students: Students enrolled in graduate level courses at the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center may request a free High Library card for the length of the current semester. Seminary students must present a valid ID to obtain a free library card.
• Friends of the Library: All others may become Friends of the Library, for a fee of $20. For visitors with a Lancaster Public Library card, this fee is waived. More information about becoming a Friend of the Library can be found on this guide.
• Computer Use: The High Library offers guest log-ins for in-library access to our databases and other online resources.
  • To obtain a log-in, guests must present a valid photo ID.
  • Assigned log-ins are good for 30-days, and can be used on designated computer terminals only.
  • Guests are limited to 1-hour of computer use daily.

Most items borrowed from the High Library can be renewed for an additional loan period – including reserves and laptops! You can renew your items in person at the Circulation desk, or online.

To renew online:

• Sign in to your library account (log-in with your Etown network username and password if prompted).
  • To renew all of your loans, click on "Renew All" at the top of the Loans box.
  • To renew select items, click on the "Loans" heading, then check off the items you’d like to renew.
  • Click on "Renew Selected."
  • A confirmation message will appear, and a new due date will be displayed next to the renewed items.

Please note:

• Renewals provide an additional loan period for an item from the date or time it was renewed, rather than from the original due date/time.
• When renewing online, your items have not been renewed if you don’t see the confirmation screen displaying the new dates.
• Items that have reached their renewal limit must be returned to the library’s Circulation Desk.
• As a library user, it is your responsibility to keep track of the due dates/times of your borrowed library items. You can keep check due dates and renew items in your online library account. If you are having difficulty renewing your items, please contact the library staff at highlibrary@etown.edu for assistance.
• By returning and/or renewing your items properly, you allow us to better manage our collections and ensure that they can continue to benefit many users after you!

The High Library is pleased to offer lockers for the convenience of our users. Lockers are available on a first-come, first-served basis for the students, faculty, and staff of Elizabethtown College.

By using a locker, you agree to the following:

• The library is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage of items stored in lockers.
• Only library materials that have been checked out to the user may be stored in lockers.
• Food and beverage may not be stored in lockers.
• The library staff reserves the right to review the contents of lockers at any time.
• All lockers must be emptied at the end of the semester.
• Any items left in lockers beyond the end of the semester will be turned over to the campus lost and found.

In accordance with Elizabethtown College policy, only registered service animals are permitted in the library.

For more information on the definition of service animals, please see the college's Service and Emotional Support Animal Guidelines.

Anyone in violation of this policy will be asked to leave the library.