Anyone who has more than a passing interest in using public domain resources in their business has encountered the problem of finding a printed book that is in the public domain.
You may have searched local used bookstores, antique stores, and even the card catalog of your local public library to find a copy.
All in vain ... The book cannot be found for the resources available to it.
Unfortunately, most people will throw up their hands in frustration and give up at this point, assuming a miracle will have to happen to find the book.
Well, there is a miracle at your local library that most people don't know about. Heck, it seems like most people don't even make use of this valuable resource anymore, which is a shame, but it's all part of the Internet lifestyle.
Your local library has access to books across the country through a system called the Interlibrary Loan Program. It works a little differently at each library, so you'll want to speak to your library's reference desk to find out the exact procedure you need to follow to find a book for you. And it's not always fast, sometimes it takes a few months before a copy reaches your hands. But for that book that you absolutely need for a big project, sometimes it's the only way to go.
In general, you will need to know the exact title of the book, the author, and its publication date; all the information you should have already discovered in your copyright search to find the book. Some libraries will allow you to apply online, and even search the Interlibrary Loan network before applying. However, most will require you to enter and complete a form to begin the process.
Once you receive the book, you can generally keep it the same amount of time as a book you check out from the library locally. And of course it is expected to be returned in the same condition as it was when you received it, which means being careful when photocopying the pages or handing them over to someone to transcribe.
The only two times that you will not be able to find a book through the Interlibrary Loan Program is if the book is not in the library system or if the only copies in the system are considered "rare" or "reference" books. But the books you choose to work with probably won't fall into these categories. They will most likely collect dust in the main batteries.
One last thought ... sometimes you find a public domain book you want and find a place to buy it, but it costs hundreds of dollars. The Interlibrary Loan Program is a great way to access a copy of one of these really expensive out-of-print books long enough for you to extract the information you need from it.
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