Interlibrary Loan

What is Interlibrary Loan? 

If the Collection Department is unable to purchase a suggested item or if a suggestion does not meet acquisition criteria, the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service can be used to borrow the requested materials. ILL provides access to materials that are not in the NCW Libraries collection by borrowing items from library systems across the state and the country. Books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, music scores, some microfilm, and articles (copies or scans) can all be ordered through Interlibrary Loan.

Who can use the ILL service?

ILL is available to most NCW Libraries cardholders, with the exception of Educator, Limited Use, Reciprocal, and Fee Card accounts.  We cannot provide ILL materials to accounts that are expired, restricted, or have any outstanding charge or fine.

Is there a fee to use ILL?

ILL services are provided without cost for eligible NCW Libraries cardholders. To request materials through ILL, please Make a Purchase Suggestion and select “YES ILL” under Reason for Purchase.

How many items can I request through Interlibrary Loan?

Starting May 15, 2025 patrons may have a total of three active ILL requests at any given time.  This includes ILL materials in request, transit, and checked out status.  Once this limit is reached, no further ILL requests will be processed until total checkouts drops below the threshold.

How long is the Interlibrary Loan checkout period?

The checkout period for all ILL material is 21 days.* *ILL materials checked out to mail order patrons will have a checkout period of 28 days to account for the mail transit time.

Can I renew my Interlibrary Loan material?

Renewals are not available for any Interlibrary Loan material.  Items must be returned by their due date.

What happens if I damage or lose Interlibrary Loan material or return the item late?

All items borrowed through ILL must be returned by their due date. Replacement charges for lost or damaged items are assigned to the requesting patron by the original lending library.  Once NCW Libraries has paid the replacement charge for the lost ILL material, no refunds or reversals of charges will be made.  Repeated failure to return ILL materials on time will result in the loss of interlibrary loan privileges for twelve (12) months.

Can I request the same item through Interlibrary Loan more than once?

NCW Libraries will not request the same item for the same patron within a 12-month period if the original request was filled. The maximum number of times an item may be requested and filled is three. Unfilled requests may be re-submitted within the 12-month period.