Mail:
Interlibrary Loan
Rochester Public Library
101 2nd ST SE
Rochester, MN 55904-3776
Types of Materials RPL lends to other libraries
Rochester Public Library lends all types of materials, with the following exceptions:
Titles currently in our new fiction or new nonfiction section are available for loan to Minnesota libraries, or Minitex area libraries, but not to other out-of-state libraries.
Reference books, including our reference genealogy collection, are not available for lending. Specific sections may be copied and emailed free of charge (up to 20 pages). Exceptions are made with the approval of the head of the reference services division. LITHUB materials are non-circulating.
Audiovisual materials are available for lending if the requesting library is a reciprocal lender of AV materials. Video games are not available for loan.
Special collections- including board games, seed library supplies & kits, book group bags, and telescopes - are not available for lending.
Not all periodicals are available for lending
We are a reciprocal library; we loan to out-of-state libraries that are willing to loan to us.
How can RPL holdings be searched?
Use the SEARCH link from the main webpage at rplmn.org
Rochester Public Library accepts ILL requests by the following methods:
SELCO/SELS libraries can request materials through the MNLINK system
Minitex (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin) libraries can request Rochester Public Library materials through Minitex
Libraries using the OCLC ILL system may request materials through OCLC. Listing our OCLC code (ROC) more than once on the lending string is helpful if we are the only supplier
Requests may be send via email to ILL@rplmn.org
Requests may be faxed to 507-328-2384
Requests may be mailed to our address above
ALA interlibrary loan form are accepted
Is there a fee for lending or copies?
Rochester Public Library generally loans materials or sends copies free of charge to requesting libraries
Libraries that are not reciprocal free lenders will incur a lending fee of $15 (or whatever the requesting library charges per equivalent request - whichever is lower)
Minnesota patrons may request copies directly from Rochester Public Library (obituaries, for example) by completing the Article/Obituary request form. There is no charge for requests delivered via email. Non-Minnesota residents should place their requests through their local library/OCLC.
How are materials delivered to other libraries?
Materials sent to other SELCO/SELS libraries are delivered through the SELCO courier delivery system (5 days/week).
Materials sent to other Minitex libraries are delivered via the SELCO delivery system to the Minitex delivery system (5 days/week).
Materials sent to non-Minitex libraries are sent via the United States Postal Service (library rate).
Copies can be emailed, uploaded to Article Exchange, faxed, or mailed.
How long is the loan period?
The loan period is 5 weeks for regional requests delivered through the Minitex delivery system, and 6 weeks for non-Minitex requests shipped through the United States Postal Service. The loan periods may be shortened for high demand items.
Renewals are given for 5 weeks, unless there is a local reserve for the item. Renewals can be requested on MNLINK or OCLC.
How should borrowed materials be returned to RPL?
Please return loans using the same delivery methods that was used in sending the materials.
What are the fees for damaged or lost materials?
Rochester Public Library doesn't charge other libraries overdue fees. For lost or damaged materials, we charge the original inventoried price of the item, with no additional fee. Email ILL staff at ill@rplmn.org or call 507-328-2366 to check on the cost or to request a bill. Replacement copies in good condition may be accepted.