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1. What is Interlibrary Loan Service (ILL)?

Through participation in an Interlibrary Loan network including academic, public and special libraries, the Library may borrow materials for you from other libraries throughout the country. Materials obtained through Interlibrary Loan are for individual use and are the cardholder's responsibility from the time they are picked up at the Circulation Desk until they are returned. The cardholder is responsible for any late fees, replacement costs for lost materials, and costs for damages.

2. What can be borrowed?

The Library will request only materials which are not available at The Colony Public Library. All formats may be requested (e.g.,  books, audiovisual materials, periodicals, microfilm, photocopies, etc.). The Library will not request best sellers or recently published items. Please read the warning concerning copyright restrictions.

3. How do library patrons submit an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) request?

ILL requests may be submitted using the InterLibrary Loan Request form. Requests are also taken in person during regular business hours at the Reference Desk . In either case, librarian staff will need as much information as possible about the item to be requested, along with the cardholder's name, phone number, and library card number.

4. Is there a charge for this service?

The only charge to the cardholder for borrowing materials from other libraries is the postage charge for the return of the material to the loaning library. This fee must be paid before the material will be checked out to the cardholder.

If the material is not picked up by the cardholder before the date that the material must be returned to the loaning library, the postage fee will be charged to the cardholder's account. The charge must be paid before any materials are checked out on the card and before any further interlibrary loan requests will be placed for the cardholder.

5. How long does it take to get the requested material?

Service will be provided as quickly as possible. The turnaround time varies depending upon the lending library. Items requested withing the state of Texas generally take two to three weeks to arrive. Items requested outside the state of Texas generally take three to six weeks to arrive. Patrons will be notified by phone if the Library is unable to obtain an item.

6. How will I know when the material has arrived?

When material arrives at The Colony Public Library, the Reference Desk staff will call the requesting cardholder.