Interlibrary Loan

NOTE: A $20 service charge will be billed to your account for Interlibrary Loan items that are 14 days overdue. Standard overdue fines also will apply.

What is this?

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Interlibrary Loan

• What is Interlibrary Loan?
• What if I need help with my Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?
• Who is eligible to use the Interlibrary Loan service?
• What may be requested?
• How do I submit a request?
• How do I submit a request from Worldcat?
• How many Interlibrary Loan requests may I submit?
• How long does it take to get materials?
• How long can I keep the materials?
• Can I renew my Interlibrary Loan items?
• Where do I pickup my Interlibrary Loan item(s)?
• Why can’t I see my Interlibrary Loan requests on my library account?
• What if I lose or damage an item borrowed from another library?

What is Interlibrary Loan? 

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is an agreement between libraries throughout the United States to share materials by borrowing and lending to each other.  If our library does not own a specific item, we can try to borrow it for you.  Items owned by St. Charles Public Library or LINC catalog may be obtained by placing a hold. Loan periods must be observed by the patron. A nonrefundable $20 service charge will be added to items more than 14 days overdue.  Standard overdue fines also will apply.  Abuse of ILL policies will result in the suspension of ILL borrowing privileges.

Read the Interlibrary Loan Policy.

What if I need help with my Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

• Email Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
• Phone ILL: 630-584-0076, ext. 224 or
• If you cannot reach ILL staff, the Adult Reference Department may help at 630-584-0076, ext. 216

Who is eligible to use the Interlibrary Loan service?

Only St. Charles Public Library card holders may use this service.  All other card holders must go to their home library to make ILL requests.

What may be requested?

• Books
• Videos
• DVD’s
• CD’s
• Cassettes
• Articles (We request photocopies or electronic documents, not entire issues. You are responsible for paying for all photocopies requested.)
• Microfilm
• Libraries generally do not borrow or lend materials which have been published within the past six months.
• We do not borrow audio visual materials from outside of Illinois. (CDs, VHS, DVDs, etc)

How do I submit a request?

• Before submitting a request, please check the catalog to see whether St. Charles or one of the local libraries owns it by using the dropdown menu on the right side of the screen to search “All locations.”
• To borrow items that are in the LINC system, please place a hold.
• If you cannot find what you are searching for, request it through Interlibrary Loan.
• Use Worldcat to browse U.S. libraries and make online requests.

How do I submit a request from Worldcat?

• Locate the item in Worldcat.
• Select the link Borrow this item from another library (Interlibrary Loan) and fill out the online form.

How many Interlibrary Loan requests may I submit?

The Library requests that you only submit five (5) requests at a time.

How long does it take to get materials?

Allow at least two weeks for receipt of materials.  If the Library can’t get an item, you will be notified.

How long can I keep the materials?

• Loan periods are determined by the lending library.  Average loan periods are two to four weeks.
• Some materials are restricted to in-library use only.
• Photocopies are yours to keep; they are 10 cents per page if no email is provided.  If an email is provided, we may send you an electronic copy.
• Loan periods must be observed by the patron. A nonrefundable $20 service charge will be added to items more than 14 days overdue.  Standard overdue fines also will apply.  Abuse of ILL policies will result in the suspension of ILL borrowing privileges.

Can I renew my Interlibrary Loan items?

Yes, if it does not have a "No Renewal" sticker on the item. ILL items may only be renewed once for two (2) weeks. Call or visit the Reference Desk 630-584-0076, ext. 1 to renew your ILL items.

Where do I pickup my Interlibrary Loan item(s)?

Items are held for you in the holds area next to the Circulation Desk. Look for the first 2 letters of you last name then the last 5 digits of your Library card bar code.

Why can’t I see my Interlibrary Loan requests on my library account?

The library uses two different systems, which are not integrated.  You will see your ILL requests on your account only when they are ready for pick-up.

What if I lose or damage an item borrowed from another library?

The lending library determines the cost of replacing a lost item.  Some libraries charge flat rates up to $100 for lost or damaged items.  You are responsible for paying the replacement cost assessed by the lending library.

4/2012