INTERLIBRARY LOAN (ILL)
ILL Request Form
ILL Renewal Form
What is Interlibrary Loan (aka ILL)?
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service that connects public and academic libraries, allowing them to lend and borrow a variety of items that a home library does not own. Items not found in WCPL’s collection may be available to borrow from a consortium of lending libraries in the United States. (NOTE: WCPL does not borrow internationally.)
- Before placing an ILL request, first check to see if WCPL has the title available in its collection. You can check WCPL’s catalog HERE.
- If you don’t see a title in WCPL’s catalog, then click HERE to check its availablity through the ILL system.
For additional information or assistance with this process, contact Emily at 270-781-4882, extension 111, or email emilyc@warrenpl.org.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What kind of materials are available via ILL?
- Books (regular print)
- Large print books
- DVDs
- Blu-ray DVDs
- Music CDs
- Audiobook CDs
- Playaways
When should I use Interlibrary Loan services?
All ILL requests should be placed through the online ILL Request Form on this page. Please allow 1-3 business days for each request to be processed.
What is the process for requesting ILL materials?
Once you submit information via the online ILL Request Form, you should allow 1 to 3 days for each request to be processed by WCPL’s ILL librarian. NOTE: The limit for active requests is 8.
How long does it take for ILL materials to come in?
Once an ILL request has been processed, it takes an average of 2-3 weeks to arrive. In some cases, it may take up to 4-5 weeks. Please note that each request has its own arrival and borrowing period; requests placed at the same time may not have corresponding arrival or borrowing dates.
How will I be notified when my ILL requests are available?
When setting up a library card account, each patron selects a preferred contact method: email or phone. Just like with regular hold notifications, you will be contacted via phone or email letting you know that your requested item has arrived and is ready for pickup. ILL materials will remain on the designated library’s holds shelf for two weeks. After the two-week holding period, if an item has not been picked up, the item will be pulled and returned to the lending library.
Can I renew an ILL item?
My ILL request status changed to "CANCELED." What does that mean?
When an ILL request’s status has been updated to a “CANCELED” status, it means that the item could not be acquired from another lending library. This could occur for many reasons including the title is too new, the title is self-published, the title is an older material, etc.
Where do I return an ILL item?
Just like any library materials, ILL items can be returned to any library location.
Are there any costs associated with ILL services?
WCPL is a zero cost borrower and lender; this means that we do not acquire any materials through ILL that have attached costs. The only instances in which costs will be applicable are if an ILL item is not returned in a timely manner or the ILL item is returned damaged. Each lending library has the right to charge a late fee or replacement fee.
What policies impact my ILL loan?
Each lending library (libraries that loan the ILL items WCPL patrons borrow) has the right to instate late fees or replacement charges. To avoid any late fee charges, please return all ILL items in a timely manner. Upon receiving each ILL item, any pre-existing damage is noted by the ILL librarian. Any additional extensive damage that occurs during the borrowing period is subject to replacement charges based on the lending library’s discretion.
New checkouts cannot occur if there are existing overdue items on your library card. Once all overdue items have been returned, new checkouts can be borrowed. ILL materials are included in this policy.
Are ILL services available to Outreach or Home Delivery patrons?
Yes! For more information about our Outreach and Delivery Services, visit our outreach resources page HERE.
ILL Request Form
Library card holders may request items NOT in WCPL’s collection by filling out the ILL Request Form. Submit only one title request per form.
Request limit: 8 (You can check the number of active ILL requests you have by logging into your library account HERE.)
Before placing a request, please note:
-
Arrival time of a request cannot be guaranteed. Once a request is submitted, it takes an average of 2-3 weeks to arrive. In rare cases, it may take up to 4 weeks or longer to arrive.
- When an ILL item is available for pickup, you will receive a hold notification by either phone or email.
- New releases, best-sellers, reference books, genealogy books, rare books, and self-published titles are generally not available.
- Borrowing discretion: Lending libraries are entitled to enforce their own policy rules for items WCPL patrons borrow, i.e. replacement costs or late fees.
Renewing ILL Items
To avoid an OVERDUE status of ILL checkouts, place renewal requests within a 5-10 day window of the item’s due date. While not guaranteed, most lending libraries grant a 2-week or 4 week loan extension.
Allow 3 to 5 business days for a renewals request to be approved or denied. If approved, due date(s) will be updated on your library account. If you would like be contacted directly when the renewal is granted or denied, specify that on the request form. Otherwise, you can log in to your online account , check your account on the library’s app, or call any library location to inquire about your account details.
ILL renewal requests are made online and are granted at the discretion of the lending library.