Interlibrary Loan FAQ's
Interlibrary Loan is a service that allows Phoenix Public Library card-holders to borrow materials not owned by the Phoenix Public Library system.
Anyone with a current Phoenix Public Library card and less than $10 in fines, fees or over-dues can place an interlibrary loan request.
You can request books, audio books on audio cassette, videos on VHS, copies of articles and microfilm, DVDs and CDs are not available through this service.
Requests can be placed anytime on the Phoenix Public Library website (www.phxlib.org), from your home or office or at your local Phoenix Public Library. Select the "Borrowing from other Libraries" link of the Library home page. Then log into your interlibrary loan account using your library card number and last name. If you do not already have an account, click on the "First Time Users" link to complete the quick and easy registration form.
After logging in, you will see the Illiad Main Menu screen. Under "Requests" click on the type of item you would like to request; book, photocopy, video, etc. This will take you to the appropriate request form. Just fill it out the request form, making sure to include information in the "Required" fields, and submit.
You always have the option of calling the Interlibrary Loan office, Monday through Friday, between 10am and 5pm, at (602) 262-6066, if you have any questions or if you would like us to place your request.
You can have ten (10) active requests submitted at one time. Active requests include those requests in the searching process as well as those that have arrived and are in your possession.
Usually between two to four weeks. The actual length of time depends on a number of factors. We process interlibrary loan requests in the order in which they are received. If there is a high volume of requests, it will increase the amount of time before your request is sent out to lending libraries. Also, if we have to go to twelve libraries, for example, before one will agree to lend an item, and that library is in New York, it would certainly take longer, than if the first library we ask agrees to loan it, and they are a library in the county or state.
Phoenix Public Library does not charge for interlibrary loan services and is able to fill most requests through other non-charging libraries. Some libraries, however, do charge fees ranging from $5 to $20. These costs are passed on to the borrower.
The fine for overdue interlibrary loan items is .20 per item, per day.
If you lose or damage an interlibrary loan item, you will be responsible for paying any charges made by the lending library.
Many libraries ship photocopies of articles to us in electronic format. In the past we printed these articles before delivering them to you. Now, through ILLiad, we are able to offer you the option of electronic delivery of these articles in PDF format (Adobe's Portable Document Format) when possible. For more information, please contact Interlibrary Loan, Monday through Friday, between 10am and 5pm, at (602) 262-6066.