Interlibrary Loan

Looking for something the library doesn't own?

If you are looking for a book or article that the Palm Beach County Library System does not own, you can make an Interlibrary Loan request to find the item. Before placing a request, check our catalog. Fill out the form below with as much information about the item as possible. This will speed up the processing of your request. Click below for more information about Interlibrary Loan.

Please note, there is a limit of five active requests members may have at any given time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Submit a Request

Name *

Library Card Number *

Email Address *

Phone Number

Library Branch Pickup *

If you are requesting a book, please fill in the fields below:

Author

Book Title

If you are requesting a journal article, please fill in the fields below

Article Title

Journal Name

Citation

Maximum Willing to Pay*

*The Interlibrary Loan service is free. The Library belongs to several resource-sharing networks where we can get most materials at no charge. 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 per loan.

Provide any additional information about your request, such as Large Print only, Regular Print Only, or No Paperback

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified by the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproductions are not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order, if in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

If you have any questions about Interlibrary Loan, email illmail@pbclibrary.org, or contact your local branch library.

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Interlibrary Loan

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you need to know about the book?

Who can use this service?

How do I request materials?

Is there a charge?

How long will it take?

How long can I keep materials?

What type of materials can I request?

Can I request genealogy materials?

Can I renew my materials?

Why are some requests unfilled?

Are there materials I can’t request?

How do I contact Interlibrary Loan?

Submit a Request