Welcome to the Interlibrary Loan division of the OC Public Libraries.
Interlibrary Loan provides access to books, journal articles, microfilm, and other materials that are not available from the OC Public Libraries. Because we are borrowing material from another library system, it may take approximately three to five weeks for material to arrive.
Before requesting material, check the OC Public Libraries' catalog to be sure that the material is not owned by the OC Public Libraries.
What is not available through Interlibrary Loan?
- Reference books
- Items in special collections
- Compact discs/dvds/videos/audio books
- Telephone directories
- Complete issues of magazines or newspapers
- Best sellers
- Current publications (less than 1 year old)
Who is eligible for Interlibrary Loan services?
Service is available with a valid OC Public Libraries' card
How do I request material?
After you have determined that OC Public Libraries does not own the material, call or stop by any OC Public Libraries' branch to request the material. The branch you contact will be the branch where the material is sent.
What will it cost?
The Interlibrary Loan division of the OC Public Libraries does not charge for the service, however some of the lending institutions charge for items and copies.
How long can I keep an item?
Most ILL items check out for 3 weeks. Some institutions do not allow renewals on requested materials.
How long will I have to wait for an item?
The normal process of an ILL request is approximately three to five weeks.
What happens if I lose or damage a book?
The lending institution will request that you pay for the damage/loss and will also charge a processing fee.
Where do I return materials?
Materials must be returned to the same branch where the materials were sent.
