What is Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary loan, or ILL, is the process by which a library requests material from, or supplies material to, another library.

The Carrollton Public Library can ask other libraries to let us borrow an item we do not own at your request.

Check the Carrollton Public Library catalog to verify we do not own the item before requesting an interlibrary loan (ILL)

You may be eligible for a TexShare card which may let you borrow directly from a nearby library that does own the item. If you qualify, this means you could get the book as soon as you are able to go to the other library.

Eligibility to Request

• Carrollton resident
• Valid Carrollton Public Library card at time of request AND pick up of item
• Fees under $10

Cost

There is no fee charged by the Carrollton Public Library.

Timeframe

• 2-4 weeks generally

We cannot guarantee a requested interlibrary loan item will arrive in a timely manner.

If you have a time constraint, ask staff at the service desk about other options you may pursue.

What Can Be Requested

• Books
• Books on CD
• DVDs
• Articles

All requests are subject to the limits listed on this page.

Limits

• No items owned by the Carrollton Public Library
• No items published within the past 12 months
• No genealogical titles
• Not the most recent edition or latest publication date for textbooks or test preparation books
• No eBooks or eAudiobooks
• No Playaways
• No TV shows

Limit of 3 items requested at a time, including requests that are:

• pending
• shipped
• received

Any additional requests submitted when you already have 3 items requested are held until one of those items has been returned to the lending library or is cancelled because we were not able to obtain it.

Loan Period

• 3 weeks

There is no guarantee that interlibrary loan items can be renewed. We can ask the lending library for a renewal of the item, but it may not be granted. Contact interlibrary loan staff to request a renewal.

How to Request

Complete the online form linked below to submit an interlibrary loan request.

Contact Interlibrary Loan Staff

Use the form linked below to contact Interlibrary Loan Staff to:

• Check on the status of a request placed at least 2 weeks ago
• Request renewal of an interlibrary loan item you already borrowed