Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Document Delivery services are available to the following card types: General, Non-Resident Property Owner, Metropolitan Interlibrary Exchange (MIX), and Non-Resident Paid cardholders. Read more about the types of WCCLS library cards.

• Books
• Audiobooks on CD, cassettes, or Playaways (pre-loaded audiobook device)
• Music CDs
• Video: DVDs, Blu-rays, VHS
• Magazine issues
• Musical scores
• In-library-use microfilm (contact your local library for more information)
• Kits
• Maps
• Email delivery of electronic materials (e.g., journal articles, book chapters, etc.) via Document Delivery

Please suggest a purchase for all other requests.

ILL cannot be used to request textbooks, entire e-books or e-audiobooks, console video games (Wii, PlayStation, Xbox, etc.), streaming audio/video, board games, Library of Things items, or items owned in the WCCLS collection (unless all copies are lost or withdrawn and are not going to be replaced). Most WCCLS member libraries do not borrow from libraries outside the U.S.

You may have 5 active ILL loans at a time. This includes active requests, holds, and checked out ILL items. Once an ILL item is returned to your library, it no longer counts against the limit.

Library staff can work with you on different options for managing your wishlists and requests so that you can continue to use the service within the ILL limit.

Once they have been processed by library staff, your request will appear on your library account. An ILL request may take between 2 to 8 weeks from the date of submission to arrive. Loan periods and availability of renewals will vary by the supplying library.

You will be notified when the item is available for pickup, just like WCCLS holds. If you need to cancel a request, please contact ILL staff at your library. 

You may also create an account in FirstSearch to show a list of your requests as soon as you submit them. Within FirstSearch/WorldCat, click on the “Patron Resource Sharing” tab and register using your WCCLS library card number as your username.

There is no fee for you to use this service. Charges for lost or damaged ILL items are determined by the supplying library.

Please return ILL materials to the same library where you checked them out. ILL materials are carefully tracked by library staff. Instructions are on the band wrapped on each item. Please do not remove this band.

Document Delivery is the electronic delivery of resources like book/e-book chapters, dissertations, magazine or journal articles, genealogical listings, maps, technical reports, or reference book entries. Digitized materials are emailed to you, often as a PDF attachment.

To make a Document Delivery request, you can submit a request through WorldCat/FirstSearch (like you would for an ILL request), making sure to include your email address, and using the ‘Notes’ box of the request form to provide specific copy information.

Please contact your local library for assistance in ordering, checking the status of, renewing, or canceling a request.

• WCCLS lends circulating materials at no charge to reciprocal libraries in the U.S.
• Non-reciprocal libraries will be charged per loan, payable via OCLC IFM, IFLA voucher, or credit card.
• Send requests through OCLC to symbol OQX or by email to loan@wccls.org.