What do you need to know about the book?
We’ll need specific information to find the material including the author, title, publisher, date of publication, journal or citation for photocopies, and any other important information that will help us locate a copy.
Who can use this service?
Anyone with a current Palm Beach County Library card can use this free service. Limited to five active requests at a time.
How do I request materials?
Fill out the Interibrary Loan Request Form available below, or ask a Research Librarian at any branch location.
Is there a charge?
This is a free service. However, some lending libraries may charge for borrowing or copying materials. We will not be able to obtain materials unless you have agreed to pay the lending fee. The lending charges can be $15 to $25 or more per loan.
How long will it take?
The Palm Beach County Library System is a member of OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) which provides access to millions and millions of item records from libraries around the world.
How long can I keep materials?
Loan periods vary based on the policies of the lending library.
What type of materials can I request?
You can request books, copies of journal, magazine, and newspaper articles, microfilms, archival, fiction, research, and special collection materials. To request a book or monograph, you must provide the title, author, publisher, and any other necessary information to locate the item. To request an article you must provide a complete citation of the article including title, author, volume, page, and issue.
Can I request genealogy materials?
In most cases, you cannot borrow genealogy materials. Sometimes libraries will copy materials if you have a family name or citation for a specific section of a book.
Can I renew my materials?
Some lending libraries allow renewals. Ask staff at any branch location several days before the due date so they can send the renewal request to the lending library. Overdue materials are not eligible for renewal Contact your branch a couple days after your request to find out if the renewal was accepted. If the renewal is denied, you will be notified and the materials will be due.
Why are some requests unfilled?
We make every effort to fill your requests. Reasons for unfilled requests are:
The author, title, or citation is incorrect or incomplete.
No library owns the material.
The material is only owned outside the United States.
Book is in heavy demand or on best-seller List.
Book is non-circulating, and for research only (part of special collection, rare, too fragile to lend, limited edition, etc.)
Some libraries do not lend current year materials.
Are there materials I can’t request?
Phonograph records, cassettes, CDs, DVDs, videocassettes, directories, and indexes, reference books, and encyclopedias (multi-volume sets), material held outside the United States, and computer disks cannot be requested.
How do I contact Interlibrary Loan?
If you have a question about this service, contact the Interlibrary Loan Section at illmail@pbclibrary.org, or contact your local branch library.
