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FAQs for GIL Express

General Questions/Definitions

What's GIL Express?
GIL Express is a service being offered at all libraries within the University System of Georgia (USG). The service is an innovative resource sharing initiative that allows students, faculty and staff access to all eligible circulating material at all USG libraries. GIL Express is available to all eligible USG patrons through both an on site (walk up) service and a remote requesting service.
Who is eligible for GIL Express?
All currently enrolled students and currently employed faculty and staff who are in good standing at their University System of Georgia's College or University Home Library are eligible to use GIL Express. Retired faculty and staff should check with their Home Library to determine if they are eligible to use this service.
What's ILL?
The Interlibrary Loan Department (ILL) borrows books and obtains photocopies of articles from other libraries throughout the United States and around the world for eligible patrons in order to support specific educational and research needs. It also lends materials and sends copies of articles to other Libraries.
What's the difference between GIL Express and ILL?
GIL Express is limited to books from libraries within the University System of Georgia. Interlibrary Loan is much more wide ranging:

GIL Express ILL
Request books from USG libraries. Request materials from libraries worldwide.
Request is for books only. Books, journals, journal articles.
Patron places the request. Library staff places the request.
Average delivery time is 4 working days. Delivery time is an average of 10 days.
Pick up can be from any USG library. Pick up is from your Home Library.
Return can be to any USG library. Return is to your Home Library.
Loan period is 28 days. Loan period varies according to the lending library.
Two renewals are allowed. In general renewals are not allowed.
What can I request through GIL Express?
Books from the general circulating collections of each University System of Georgia Library will be available for GIL Express circulation.
What isn't available through GIL Express?
Exemptions for lending through GIL Express are materials on Course Reserves, Reference, Special Collections, other special permission items, materials with shortened loan periods and certain lab collections.
Materials that are not available through GIL Express (i.e., journal articles) may be available through Interlibrary Loan. To determine if you are eligible to use Interlibrary Loan, please talk to your local ILL Department.
What is the Universal Catalog?
The GIL Universal Catalog is a single database of information that is created from the individual library collections of the University System of Georgia's 34 member institutions, the Georgia Gwinnett College and the Georgia Archives (State of Georgia). This catalog contains over six million volumes, of which approximately 60% are unique, i.e., held by a single library. The GIL Universal Catalog is maintained on a regular basis.
Is everything in the Universal Catalog available for GIL Express?
No. Only books from the general collections from each of the University System of Georgia's 34 member institutions and the Georgia Gwinnett College will be made available for GIL Express.
What is the University System of Georgia (USG)?
The University System of Georgia (USG) is comprised of the 34 public institutions of higher education and the Georgia Gwinnett College.
Can I use GIL Express from my home computer?
If you can connect to the Internet then you can use GIL Express. To access the Universal Catalog point your browser to http://giluc.usg.edu/.

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Borrowing Privileges

I am a faculty member at Fort Valley State University. Are my GIL Express borrowing privileges the same as at my Home Library?
No. If you borrow materials through GIL Express your privileges are standard across the state.
What are the borrowing privileges for GIL Express?
Everyone has a 28-day loan period with 2 renewals (if no one else has requested the book). If you need the book for longer than this you will need to return the book and request it again. There are currently no overdue fines but some libraries charge overdue recall fines.
What happens if I have an overdue book?
Once a GIL Express book becomes overdue your borrowing privileges are blocked throughout the University System of Georgia and at your own Home Library. See your Home Library for complete information on GIL Express borrowing privileges.
How many books can I borrow through GIL Express?
The total number of books that may be borrowed through GIL Express is 100.
Does that mean that I can borrow 100 books from each library?
No. The total or aggregate limit is 100. Each library may set its own limit for the number of books that you may borrow through GIL Express. This limit is typically based on the size of the collection and the needs of the library's primary patrons. The GIL Express system will track and manage the individual limits and apply them to your aggregate.
I'm a student at Southern Polytechnic and am also employed at Kennesaw State. Where is my Home Library? What borrowing privileges do I have?
Technically, either library can be your Home Library. However for ease in tracking your GIL Express material and your obligations you are strongly encouraged to select one library as your Home Library and stay with that library. If you move back and forth you will lose the ability to see a consolidated list of everything that you have checked out, as well as other obligations, through GIL Express. You should also remember that GIL Express has standardized policies. For materials that are not checked out through GIL Express individual library policies (including borrowing privileges) may differ.

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Identification Required

Do I have to have my school ID with me to check out a GIL Express book?
No. A picture ID card is required to use GIL Express at any USG library. While the preferred form of identification is a current, valid picture ID card that is issued by your Home institution you may also use a government issued current, valid picture ID such as a driver's license or a Georgia ID card, a US passport or a US military ID.

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Requesting Material


I'm a Coastal Georgia Community College student, and I need a book that is checked out from my library. Can I request a copy of it from Armstrong Atlantic via GIL Express?
You can request a copy of the book through GIL Express and the system will determine the library that will lend the book.
I'm a UGA student working in Griffin. Can I use GIL Express to have a book from UGA delivered to the Georgia Experiment Station in Griffin?
No. The Griffin Campus is considered part of UGA even though, geographically, it's located south of Atlanta. The system can't distinguish geographic locations for a campus. GIL Express will not allow you to request a book from your Home Library and have that book delivered to a library on your campus.
I'm a UGA student working at Skidaway on an internship or research project. Can I request a book owned by UGA and have it delivered to me at Savannah State?
The system will randomly select the library for you. You may have it delivered to Savannah State and you may also return it to Savannah State when you have finished with it. Savannah State will return it for you. Or you may return it to the Owning Library yourself.
I'm a Georgia Perimeter College student taking classes at the Georgia Gwinnett College. Can I request a book from GPC and have it delivered to the library at GUC?
If Georgia Perimeter College is the only USG library that owns the book you want to borrow then, if available, it will be requested from that library. Otherwise the system will randomly select the library to which the request will be sent.
I am a Macon State student who lives in Atlanta. Can I request a GIL Express book and pick it up at Emory?
No. Emory University is not a state supported institution of higher education and is therefore not a member of the GIL Express community. You may pick up a book from any of the University System of Georgia libraries. For a complete listing of USG libraries, go to http://giluc.usg.edu/.
I'm enrolled at Columbus State in a distance learning program, and I live in Flowery Branch. Can I have a GIL Express book mailed directly to my home?
No. GIL Express is a Library to Library service. You need to find the most convenient University System Library and select it as your Pick-up Library.
I'm a student at the Medical College of Georgia. Can I request a book from the Medical College and pick it up at MCG too? Can I pick it up at Augusta State University?
No. You can't request a book from your own library and have it held for you at the same library. But you can have a book delivered to ASU and pick it up there.
I'm a student at Atlanta Metropolitan College. There is a book I want that is located at Clayton State. Can I have a staff member at Clayton State pick it up and hold it for me at the circulation desk at CC&SU?
No, but you can request that it be delivered to you at the Atlanta Metro Library through GIL Express by placing a remote request for it through the Universal Catalog or you can go to Clayton State, retrieve it from the shelf and check it out at the circulation desk. To check out GIL Express material you may use your Atlanta Metro picture ID or a current and valid government picture issued ID.

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Checking Out GIL Express Materials

I'm a Georgia Southwestern student but I'm going to Valdosta State next week. Can I check out something from VSU that my Home Library owns, even if it's not checked out at Georgia Southwestern?
Yes
I'm a student at Darton College and I need to work on a project while I'm at home in Tifton over Thanksgiving. Can I request books through GIL Express and have the books delivered to ABAC so I can check them out there?
Yes. (Just be sure to check the hours of operation for ABAC's library over the Thanksgiving break.)
Do I have to have my school ID with me to check out a GIL Express book?
No. A picture ID card is required to use GIL Express at any USG library. While the preferred form of identification is a current, valid picture ID card that is issued by the your Home institution you may also use a government issued current, valid picture ID such as a driver's license or a Georgia ID card, a US passport or a US military ID.
I'm a student at Atlanta Metropolitan College. There is a book I want that is located at Clayton State. Can I have a staff member at Clayton State pick it up and hold it for me at the circulation desk at CC&SU?
No, but you can request that it be delivered to you through GIL Express by placing a remote request for it through the Universal Catalog or you can go to Clayton State, retrieve it from the shelf and check it out at the circulation desk. To check out GIL Express material you may use your Atlanta Metro picture ID or a current and valid government picture issued ID.

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Renewals

I'm a student at Gordon College and I can renew my Gordon College Library books one time. How many times can I renew a GIL Express book?
A GIL Express book can be renewed twice before it has to be returned to the library that owns it. If you still need the book after two renewals you will need to return the book and request it again.
I tried to renew my books but I can't. Why not?
Once your book is overdue your patron record is blocked throughout the University System. At the point that you are blocked you can no longer renew your book (or check out other books), even if you haven't reached your two renewal limit. If your book is overdue you must return it to become unblocked. If you still need the book you will need to request it again.

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Returning Materials

I attend Gainesville College but I'm going to see my boyfriend in Georgia Southern University. My GIL Express books belong to North Georgia College and State University, Albany State University and Waycross College and all of them are overdue. Can I return all of the books to the library at Georgia Southern?
Yes. You can return your GIL Express books to any USG library. The library staff at Georgia Southern will discharge the books immediately so that they are no longer your responsibility. They will send the books back to North Georgia, Albany State and Waycross.
I'm a UGA student working at Skidaway on an internship or research project. Can I request a book from UGA to be delivered to me at Savannah State?
The system will randomly select the library for you. You may have it delivered to Savannah State and you may also return it to Savannah State when you have finished with it. Savannah State will return it for you. Or you may return it to the Owning Library yourself.

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Recalls

What is a recall?
If an item that you need is already checked out to someone else you may wish to place a recall through your local GIL catalog, if your library allows recalls. A recall ensures that you will be notified when the item is returned, and that it will be held in your name for a set number of days. Recalls may not be placed through the Universal Catalog.
I found a book that I want to borrow through GIL Express but there's only one copy and it's checked out. Can I recall it?
You cannot place recalls through the Universal Catalog. Individual libraries have different policies about recalling material through local GIL catalogs. Contact the Circulation Department of the library that owns the book that you need. In addition, see your Interlibrary Loan Librarian.
I attend South Georgia College and that library doesn't charge recall fines but when I returned a recalled book that belonged to GA Tech I was charged $2.50 a day. Why is that?
Each library can decide if it wants to charge recall fines. If recall fines are charged to GIL Express patrons the fine is $2.50 a day for every day the book is late. Currently only GA Tech and UGA charge recall fines.

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Addresses and Email Notification

Am I still responsible, even if I don't receive any notices, for returning my books on time?
Yes. Notices are simply a courtesy. All of the books you have checked out, the books that you've requested and your fines and fees for your Home Library and for all GIL Express transactions may be viewed online by logging into your "My Account" record through any local GIL catalog or through the Universal Catalog. This allows you to monitor all of your obligations to all USG Libraries at any time.
Why can't I get all of my library notices by email?
Not all libraries use email to deliver notices to patrons. The libraries that do use email want you to give them your correct email address. Ask about email notification when you check out a book.
What if I don't get my email notice?
Email notices, like printed notices, are simply a courtesy. All of the books you have checked out, the books that you've requested and your fines and fees for your Home Library and for all GIL Express transactions may be viewed online by logging into your "My Account" record through any local GIL catalog or through the Universal Catalog. This allows you to monitor all of your obligations to all USG Libraries at any time.

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Overdues, Lost Books and Fines/Fees

I'm a staff member at Middle Georgia College, and I didn't return my GIL Express books on time. Will I get in trouble?
If your GIL Express books are overdue you'll have your library borrowing privileges suspended at all of the USG libraries as well as your Home Library until they are returned. Your Home Library will determine what other action to take in order to encourage you to return the books.
Since you do not charge past due fines, will I ever receive past due notices?
The library owning the borrowed item will send a courtesy notice to the address shown on your account to remind you the book is due. If the item remains overdue, the lending library will send you a courtesy bill; your home library may notify you as well. Non-receipt of a notice or bill does not relieve you of any outstanding obligations.
I used to go to Bainbridge College. I have an overdue book from there. Will I be able to use GIL Express now that I'm enrolled at West Georgia?
You are still responsible for the overdue book and will continue to be blocked in GIL Express by Bainbridge College until you return or pay for the book.
My library uses a set price for a book if one is lost. Does every library use that method?
No. Each library sets its own price for the replacement of a lost book. If you have questions about the price of a book you should check with the library that owns the book.
What is a processing fee?
The processing fee for one lost GIL Express book is $35.00. This fee is set by a statewide policy and is based on the average cost to an individual library to process a replacement copy of a book that is already in its collection.

Is the processing fee refundable?

Once paid, the processing fee is non-refundable.

I want to replace a book I lost with a copy that I found at a used bookstore. Can I do that?

Generally, no. Some libraries in the University System of Georgia may occasionally accept a replacement copy of a lost book in lieu of a lost book payment. This is at the discretion of the library that owns the book that was lost. Arrangements must be made between the patron who borrowed the book and the library that owns the book. It is at the discretion of the library to charge the processing fee when accepting the replacement copy of a lost book
I had a GIL Express book from Georgia Highlands College and I returned it late. Why wasn't I charged fines?
Currently fines are not charged for overdue GIL Express books. Because this is a statewide system you will be blocked at both your Home Library and at all USG libraries if you have overdue books. Overdue fines could be charged in the future.
My library doesn't charge recall fines but when I returned a recalled book that belonged to GA Tech I was charged $2.50 a day. Why is that?
Each library can decide if it wants to charge recall fines. However if recall fines are charged to GIL Express patrons the fine is $2.50 a day for every day the book is late. Currently only GA Tech and UGA charge recall fines.
Can I pay my fines and fees at any USG library?
No, any fines or fees that you owe have to be paid to the library owning the items.

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06/09/04
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