I don't know what my PLCS code is, what should I do?
PLCS codes do not change over time and will usually be the same one that your library has used throughout its membership of the scheme. You can log in to PLCS and find your library code in the ‘Library details’ section of your account.
If you have any difficulty in locating your PLCS code, please contact us and we will be happy to check our records on your behalf.
How do I make a request via PLCS
When you log into PLCS, you will be able to search for the journal title that you want an article from. Once you have located a holder for the journal issue concerned, you can fill in the form to give the full details of the article. Please give as many details as possible and, if there is any doubt, check the reference before requesting the article which will make it easier for the supplying library. Supplying libraries will receive an email to inform them that there is a request waiting for them to supply. There are no charges made between libraries for supplying articles.
Can I phone or email a request?
Requests are made through the PLCS system, but if the request is urgent you could phone the library concerned and ask them whether they can respond urgently.
What do we do if we are temporarily unable to supply articles to PLCS members?
You can mark your library as currently unavailable so that requests will not be sent to you. Please ensure that you unmark your library as soon as you are available to receive requests again.
Whose responsibility is copyright when requesting articles through PLCS?
Copyright is the responsibility of the requesting library, so the requesting library should have a signed declaration form, where one is required, before requesting articles via PLCS. If a breach of copyright law occurs then it is the fault of either the end user or the requesting library, not the supplying library. It is also left to the individual library to ensure compliance with copyright legislation or licence agreements.
Each request must be considered individually and compliance with copyright is essential and is always the responsibility of the requesting library.
Copyright Regulations and Inter Library Loan
Copies of Articles ordered under this service and utilised by users of the service are subject to Copyright Regulations (Copyright & Related Rights Act, 2000.)
By registering with this service the user commits to observing these regulations, most notably that copies are for personal use only and not disclosed to third parties. They may not be used for commercial purposes or re distribution. The party requesting the material shall supply the librarian with a declaration in writing. This shall be the personal signature of the person making the request. A stamped or typewritten signature is not acceptable. Copies must be supplied in print and not passed on electronically.
It is the responsibility of each Librarian in understanding and complying with the law as outlined under the Copyright Act.
Will my library be overwhelmed with requests?
It shouldn’t be. The PLCS system is designed to use the information it collects, on who is supplying articles, to rank the libraries in the order of who has supplied least articles. This will help to even out the requests across all the members.