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Interlibrary Loan

Our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Office extends Library service beyond local boundaries by borrowing materials from other libraries for our cardholders. We also loan materials from our own collection to other libraries across the state and the country.

Interlibrary Loan

Who May Borrow through Interlibrary Loan?

Library cardholders in good standing may use ILL services. Public Library Access Card (PLAC) cardholders are referred to their home library to place their requests. The Indianapolis Public Library observes the provisions of the National Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States for transactions outside the state of Indiana as well as current regional agreements and protocols within the state.

How do I place an Interlibrary Loan request?

Library card holders in good standing may request up to three Interlibrary Loans at a time. Requests may be placed online, by phone, or in person at any of our Library locations. Please see Worldcat (a catalog of more than 10,000 libraries worldwide) for help verifying book information.

Where can I pick up my Interlibrary Loan request?

Borrowers may pick up Interlibrary Loan materials at any of our Library locations or via our bookmobile. We are unable to deliver ILL material to schools.

How long will it take my Interlibrary Loan to come?

Typically it takes 10 days to 2 weeks to receive materials from other libraries.

How long can I keep my Interlibrary Loan?

The length of the loan is set by the lending library and will vary accordingly. The due date is noted on each item. Interlibrary Loan items generally cannot be renewed.

Are there items I CAN'T borrow through Interlibrary Loan?

Some types of materials are not loaned between libraries. We do not request AV materials (CDs or DVDs), eBooks, books classified as reference use only, or issues of magazines or newspapers. Loans may be restricted on rare books based on local demand, value, or irreplaceability.

How much does is it cost to borrow through Interlibrary Loan?

We obtain materials at no cost if possible, but some are unavailable without a fee. When libraries charge fees to lend to patrons of others libraries, we pass the fees to our users. We are unable to say what the fee may be when we take a request, so we ask for a maximum cost the requestor is willing to pay.

How much do you charge other libraries for Interlibrary Loans?
  • Out-of-state libraries: $10 fee per item loaned, $2 per page for photocopies of magazines, journals, and newspapers
  • In-state libraries: no charge per item loaned, no charge for photocopies of magazines, journals, and newspapers
How much do overdue or lost Interlibrary Loan items cost?

Interlibrary Loan books that are returned late may accrue fines at a rate determined by the loaning library. We are responsible for the safety of materials borrowed from other libraries and our privilege of borrowing from them is jeopardized if anything is lost. We may suspend Interlibrary Loan borrowing privileges of any patron who does not return the ILL materials we have obtained for them.

Need help placing an Interlibrary Loan?

Our reference experts can help! If you have further questions about Interlibrary Loans, please call us at 317-275-4242 or contact us now.

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