• What is an Interlibrary Loan or ILL?

The Interlibrary Loan Service (also known as “ILLs”) is a service that your library offers you when a book or material you are in need of is not available at your local library but may be obtainable at another library.  Most materials are available for lending through other libraries, but there are restrictions sometimes concerning the materials.  The majority of most libraries will not loan newly published books, DVDs or video materials, genealogical materials, or audio books or cassettes.

• Do I have to have a library card with Long Beach Public Library to submit an Interlibrary Loan?

Yes, you must have a library card with the Long Beach Public Library before submitting your request.

• Can I submit an Interlibrary Loan Request through Apollo?

Yes, you can.  Simply log in to your account through Apollo.  See “How do I login to Apollo?” on the FAQ link, if you are unsure of how to do this.  Once logged in, click on the Reserves/Requests tab.  You will see a sentence that says, “Is the library missing something?  You can request that we purchase it or borrow it from another library (Interlibrary Loan/ILL).”  Click on the word “request” and fill in the information required for our librarian.  Also, please make sure that your preferred method of contacting you once your Interlibrary loan is received has the correct information.

• What information is needed to request an Interlibrary loan?

Most of the time, an ILL can be found with just the following information: title, author, and year published.  However, the more information you give us, the easier it is for us to locate your request.  For instance, if you would rather have the book in large print, that is always helpful to know.

• May I come in and fill out an Interlibrary loan request to your library?  Do you have a form I could fill out email to you?
  

Yes, the link for this form is below along with the librarian’s email address. However, unless you are another library, all requests will have to be picked up here at Long Beach Public Library.   Fill out the form provided or you can ask for one while you are at the library in the reference department, circulation desk, or children’s area.  The staff will get these forms to our Interlibrary loan librarian.  Click here to email the librarian.

Interlibrary Loan Request Form

• How long will I be able to keep the book or material?

Lending periods vary from library to library; most allow at least two weeks.  It is best to pick up your request as soon as you are contacted and told that it’s available.