Borrowing Policies

Library Card Eligibility

Jacobs Library has four different types of borrowers who are eligible for a library card:

All IVCC library patrons must present their IVCC ID Card, library-issued Community Borrower card, or I-Share institution ID card to check out materials. 

IVCC students are those who are enrolled in an IVCC for-credit course during the current semester. Library privileges begin once a student registers for classes.

IVCC employees are those who are currently employed by Illinois Valley Community College including part-time and full-time staff, faculty and instructors. Contract employees are not eligible for an employee library access.

IVCC community members are eligible for a Community Borrower card if they meet the following criteria:

  • Resident of Illinois Valley Community College District 513
  • At least 18 years of age or currently completing GED coursework

I-Share patrons are those currently enrolled in a for-credit course or employed at an I-Share member library. The full list of I-Share Libraries is located on the CARLI website.

Visitors who do not meet the eligibility criteria for an IVCC library card are encouraged to contact their local library and ask about interlibrary loan options. Visitors are also welcome to use most IVCC library materials in the library.

Borrowing Jacobs Library Materials

Physical items owned by Illinois Valley Community College can be checked out by the following patrons:

Materials can be checked out at the Just ASC Desk in the Academic Support Center (C-201) on the Main Campus. Materials can also be requested for pick up at Ottawa Center. Deliveries are once a week on Wednesdays. To request an Ottawa Center pick up, select Ottawa Center as the pick up location when placing a hold request in the catalog.

Borrowing from Other Libraries

I-Share Materials

Jacobs Library is part of a statewide consortium of over 90 libraries who share materials. IVCC students and employees are eligible to request materials from our partner libraries by searching in the catalog and placing requests for materials to be sent to IVCC. All requested items are delivered to the library at no cost to you. When they arrive, you will receive an email notice that your material(s) are ready for check out at the Just ASC Desk.

Interlibrary Loan (WorldShare) Requests

Sometimes materials are not available at Jacobs Library or I-Share partner libraries.To search for materials beyond Jacobs Library and I-Share, use WorldCat, a search of libraries worldwide. IVCC students and employees are eligible to request these materials using our Interlibary Loan (ILL) services.

To request materials, send a complete citation via email to our Interlibrary Loan staff. You will be notified via email if we are able to fulfill your request.

Loan Periods & Renewals

Jacobs Library materials have different loan periods depending on the collection they are located in. 

  • 4-week check out
  • 3 renewals

  • 2-week check out
  • 1 renewal

  • In-library use only

  • 4-week check out
  • 1 renewal

  • 2-week check out
  • 1 renewal

  • Loan periods vary depending on instructor request.
  • Materials are available for Library Use Only, Overnight Use Only, 2 Days, 1 Week, or 2 Weeks

Renewing Materials

Physical items owned by Illinois Valley Community College and I-Share libraries can be renewed via your library account. Click the MyAccount link on the library home page to see your current loans and request renewals.

If you need assistance call 815-224-0306 or email the library.

To renew Interlibrary Loan items, email our interlibrary loan staff. Please note that ILL renewals are determined by the lending library and not all ILL items are eligible for renewal.

Returning Borrowed Materials

Library materials may be returned in three places:

  • At the Just ASC Desk in C-201
  • Bookdrop located by the CTC entrance in Lot 7
  • Bookdrop located outside the Academic Support Center (C-201)

Lost & Damaged Materials

Jacobs Library Materials

  • IVCC materials not returned after 30 days will be marked as lost in our system.
  • When an item enters lost status or is reported damaged, a $30 fee is added to your account. 
  • The $30 fee can be paid at the Cashier's Office during their operating hours.
  • In some cases, as an alternative to a replacement fee, library staff will allow you to purchase an exact new copy of the item that was lost or damaged. Please contact the library if you would like to replace the item yourself as we review this on a case-by-case basis. All replacements are subject to approval of the collection development librarian, and the library is not obligated to accept an unapproved replacement copy.I-

Interlibrary Loan Materials

Because interlibrary loan items are the property of their lending libraries, any fines and fees related to these items will be handled according to the policies and procedures of the library that the item was lent from. If you have questions about fines related to an interlibrary loan item, please contact the lending library directly. You can view any fines on your account, as well as the libraries that placed them, by logging into your library catalog account. If you need assistance determining where an interlibrary loan item came from, or locating the lending library's contact information, please contact us.

Access to E-Resources

Digital items such as databases and e-books, which are licensed by Illinois Valley Community College, can be access by the following patrons:

  • IVCC students
  • IVCC employees

Patrons can access these e-resources via the library website, catalog, and database list. Access is granted via single sign-on using a valid IVCC username and password.