Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary loan services for Iowa libraries

A local library buys the books and materials most wanted by its community. Because of limited resources and space, a single library cannot buy all published items, but can often borrow what its customer wants from another library, through interlibrary loan.  Iowa libraries are part of a vast network of participating libraries that are willing to loan materials to other libraries.

Iowa libraries can use the Silo Locator, without charge, to borrow books from other participating in-state libraries.  If the requested item is not available within Iowa, the request can be forwarded to libraries outside Iowa through the OCLC Resource Sharing system.  The library making the out of state referral must be an OCLC member, and OCLC charges a fee for the referrals.

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