How Materials Are Borrowed Through MOBIUS

Patron Initiated Borrowing

Patrons place online requests for materials in the MOBIUS Union Catalog and the INN-Reach system determines which institution to send the request to. Patrons can specify the location where they would like to pick up their materials. Direct Patron borrowing is limited to returnable items. MOBIUS members will not charge each other for direct patron borrowing within the MOBIUS Union Catalog and each library will determine the number of MOBIUS requests that their patrons can initiate. 

Pickup Anywhere

Member libraries have the option of designating any of their locations as Pickup Anywhere (PUA) locations. This option allows patrons of other member libraries to request that items be sent to that location for pick up. Libraries that make the decision to use this option for their own distance education students will also need to accommodate patrons from other member libraries who wish to use their site as a pickup location.

Visiting Patron Option

This allows a patron to visit another MOBIUS library and check out materials. The Visiting Patron option will not be activated for public libraries. The INN-Reach system verifies the patron in his local cluster patron file. Borrowing using the Visiting Patron option falls outside the load leveling capabilities of the system. If a library feels the patrons of another MOBIUS library are abusing this privilege, it should contact the library to resolve the problem. The visiting patron must be able to present a current, valid ID card from their home institution. If an institution does not provide their students or faculty with picture IDs, the visiting patron must be able to show some other form of picture ID, such as a driver’s license, upon request. Materials cannot be checked out to anyone who cannot present their ID card. 

Traditional Interlibrary Loan

Traditional interlibrary loan is available to all MOBIUS members and covers both returnables and non-returnables. MOBIUS members will not charge each other for these traditional interlibrary loan transactions. Libraries are encouraged to implement OCLC custom holdings with all MOBIUS OCLC members as one custom holdings group to balance the load. If a MOBIUS library feels that another library is making unreasonable requests, it should contact the library to resolve the problem. Libraries should use electronic transmission of articles whenever possible. If shipment via electronic transmission is not possible and a MOBIUS courier pouch is used to send an article or a book, then that item should be clearly marked, “Attention: Interlibrary Loan Department.” Borrowing libraries will be responsible for copyright compliance on requests for photocopies.

NOTE: For monographs patrons should be strongly encouraged to use patron initiated borrowing instead of traditional ILL.