What is
interlibrary loan?
Interlibrary loan is the process by which a
library requests material from another
library. If you cannot find what you want
in our collection, we can attempt to borrow
it from another library.
Who can
use interlibrary loan?
To order an item through interlibrary loan,
you must have a valid TCPL borrower's
card AND be in good standing (no
fines or overdue materials).
What can
I order with interlibrary
loan?
We will generally attempt to borrow any
material you need. Be be aware, however,
that libraries may not lend the
following types of materials: current
bestsellers and popular titles published in
the last six to twelve months, reference,
genealogy, rare or valuable material,
textbooks, classroom material, audiovisual
material, and bulky or fragile items that
are difficult or expensive to
ship.
We will not borrow: an
item which is already in our collection
unless it is long overdue or lost or
material determined to be in violation of
copyright law.
How many items
can I order with interlibrary
loan?
You may request no more than 5 items
at any one time.
How do I place my
interlibrary loan order?
You can fill out an interlibrary
loan request form at any library branch.
Please provide as much information as you
can about the item you want to order. This
helps us identify the right item for
you.
How long
will it take to receive an item I
order?
Time required to receive requested material
can vary considerably, depending on
availability of material, location of the
lending library, and shipping method. Some
materials may arrive in 2-3 days, while
others may take weeks or months. If you
have an urgent need, you must specify your
deadline to receive priority
processing.
How much does
interlibrary loan
cost?
We provide interlibrary loan service at
no cost. Lending libraries may charge
fees for photocopyies or other charges and
these are passed on to you. We will obtain
authorization from you before
ordering material for which there is a
charge. If you use rental microfilm, you
must pay rental fees at the time of placing
the request.
We do collect fines for overdue
interlibrary loan materials at the rate
of $1.00 per day per item with no
maximum fine. If you return a damaged
item or lose an item, the lending library
will assess the repair or replacement
charges.
We do assess a $5.00 fine
for each item you order but do not pick
up.
How do I
return my interlibrary loan
items?
Please return interlibrary loan materials
directly to a staff member and sign for
their return. ILL materials may not be
deposited in book drops.
For more
information, read our Interlibrary
Loan Borrowing Policy or ask at your local
library.