Interlibrary Loan gives you access to materials from libraries throughout Indiana and beyond.

To provide access materials we don’t have in our collection, TCPL offers the Interlibrary Loan service. It typically takes 2-4 weeks to receive ILL materials, but may take longer depending on availability.

There are 3 ways to request ILL material:

  • 1) in person: come to the library and get help at the information desk
  • 2) by phone: call the Downtown reference desk at 429-0113
  • 3) fill out this electronic form

Once the request is received, staff will check both through the in-state SRCS system and out of state through IN Share, an ILL service provided by the Indiana State Library. If ILL material is not available, customers will receive a Cancellation Notice via email or mail.

Once an ILL arrives, customers will be notified by TCPL via phone or email. The requested materials are held for 14 days at the Circulation Desk. Any materials not checked out within that time are returned to the lending library.

Fees

Typically ILLs are available with no charge. If there is no free lender, the ILL librarian will contact you regarding whether you are willing to pay a fee.

Interlibrary Loan Rules

  1. ILL is available only to TCPL cardholders.
  2. Requests are accepted only for titles not held by TCPL. We cannot accept ILL requests for books and other materials published within the last 9 months.
  3. The same materials cannot be requested more than once during a 6-month period. Only one season of a TV series may be requested at a time.
  4. Customers may place up to 3 ILL requests per day.
  5. Materials must be picked up and returned in person to the TCPL Circulation desk at any branch. Customers must leave the ILL cover slip intact.  Do not return ILL materials in any book drop.
  6. Renewals are not always available. The lending library, not TCPL, determines for how long the material can be checked out and whether the material may be renewed. If you need more time, please contact the TCPL Reference Desk in advance of the due date. Late renewals may not be allowed by all libraries.
  7. If the requested material is no longer needed, please contact the TCPL Reference Department and cancel your request.
  8. Any charges incurred from an ILL request will be charged to your library card. You will be charged even if you don’t pick up the material.
  9. Repeated failure to pick up ILL materials may result in loss of ILL privileges.
  10. Returning ILL materials very late or damaged may result in loss of ILL privileges. You are responsible for any replacement costs or late fees charged by the lending library if materials are returned late or damaged to TCPL.

COVID-19 Information

As of May 18, TCPL has resumed providing Interlibrary Loan. There are some small adjustments to the service:

  • Requests may take longer than usual to arrive, and may be cancelled if no libraries are currently available. Many libraries both in and out of state are still closed or providing only limited hours.
  • Until customers are allowed inside, you may return items in the book drops at the buildings. If at all convenient, please do so Monday-Saturday 9-6 when staff are inside and emptying the drop.
  • ILL materials are have been renewed until May 31 if the existing due date was not past that.
  • Checkouts will be done using curbside pickup until inside service resumes.
Your library card number starting with 292290, only numbers, and no spaces.
Typically less than $4.00 for shipping.