FAQs

When you put in an Interlibrary Loan request, the pickup location is automatically set to your home library (ILLs are not allowed to be picked up through the pickup lockers). If you want to pick up an Interlibrary Loan request at a different library, please ask a staff member to change your home library.

When you send in a request, we'll borrow it from another library system. This is called Interlibrary Loan. There are some limits on what we can borrow from other libraries. Please see below.

• If the title came out within the last year or it's a movie, audiobook, or eBook, suggest a title for the Library to buy.
• If the title is older than a year or it's a journal article or microfilm, request an Interlibrary Loan.

Can I get anything another library owns through Interlibrary Loan?

We cannot get the following:

• New books (within one year of publication)
• Any item we own or have on order, including reference books
• Audio-visual materials: CDs, books on tape, videos, DVDs, or computer software
• Rare or fragile books
• Materials from the National Archives
• Materials from libraries outside of the continental U.S.
• Books that you borrowed via Interlibrary Loan in the past year. You can only request a title once per year.

Genealogy materials are the hardest to obtain. Sometimes the library that owns the material will not lend the item, but might copy the index or pages with specific names. If you have a specific family name in which you are interested, please put it on the request form.

Learn more and submit your request.

View in full screen

You have to be in good standing with the Library.

• You have to have a regular, full-service library card to use Interlibrary Loan
• You must owe less than $5 in fees
• You must be a Pima County resident

You are limited to three (3) Interlibrary Loan requests at a time (including Interlibrary Loan items currently checked out). This can be a combination of items, such as 2 books and 1 photocopy articles, or 3 books.

You can only request a title once a year.

Interlibrary Loans can't be renewed.

Interlibrary Loans must be returned to the same library where you picked them up.

There is a 3-day grace period. Late fees for overdue interlibrary loan items are 50 cents per day, with a maximum of $10.00. Charges for lost or damaged books are billed to you at whatever rate the lending library charges.

In most cases, this service is free. We cover all shipping and processing charges. However, sometimes the library that owns the material charges a lending fee or copying cost. These costs are your responsibility. If a library charges a fee, we will notify you in advance for your approval.

When you put in an Interlibrary Loan request, the pickup location is automatically set to your home library (ILLs are not allowed to be picked up through the pickup lockers). If you want to pick up an Interlibrary Loan request at a different library, please ask a staff member to change your home library.

Read the Interlibrary Loan Policy.

Submit your request.

View in full screen

Genealogy materials are the hardest to obtain via interlibrary loan. Sometimes the library that owns the material will not lend the item, but might copy the index or pages with specific names. If you have a specific family name in which you are interested, please put it on the interlibrary loan request form.