Looking for a title that isn’t in the Library’s catalog? Use our Interlibrary Loan Service (ILL) to borrow materials or resources from another library system. Requests to borrow material can be handled in two ways:
- Place your request in person or by phone with staff from your neighborhood library or the appropriate Main Library department.
- Use the WorldCat database to submit your request electronically. When you locate the title in the database, use the ILL button (
) to generate the request form. Need help using WorldCat? Contact your local library and staff will be happy to assist you.
Guidelines for using this service:
- You must have a valid library card.
- A $5.00 fee per title will be charged. This fee must be paid when you pick up your ILL material. If you do not pick up the material, the fee will be charged to your library card.
- Although magazines cannot be obtained through ILL, photocopies of individual magazine or newspaper articles are available. Some libraries charge a fee for these photocopies. When placing your request, you will be asked to provide the maximum cost you are willing to pay. Typically, $10.00–$15.00 will cover most charges. Our staff will ensure that your request does not exceed that amount
- The maximum number of items a person can request via ILL at any one time is 25.
- Magazines, software, feature films (on videocassette or DVD), and titles already in our collection (including reference or noncirculating material) may not be borrowed through ILL.
- Some materials (recently published titles, rare or fragile items, books from a library’s reference collection, genealogical material, newspapers, etc.) can be difficult to borrow.
- Some libraries (such as the Library of Congress) stipulate that material provided through ILL is for “library use only.” You will not be able to take this material home with you.
- It usually takes between 2 to 4 weeks to receive material from other libraries.
- Nonfeature videocassettes and DVDs can be borrowed for 7 days. All other material can be borrowed for 21 days. Items obtained through Interlibrary Loan cannot be renewed.
- Overdue charges are $2.00 per day for nonfeature videocassettes and DVDs. Overdue charges for all other material are 20¢ a day.
Materials may be picked up and returned to the Main Library Circulation Services Department or at any of our branches. You will be notified by phone or email when your item is available.
Questions about the status of your Interlibrary Loan request? Contact Information and Reference staff by phone (513-369-3120) or email.