What is Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary Loan (or ILL) is a service through which a large number of libraries from different cities and states can share their materials with each other. It allows our Tulsa library users to borrow items we may not have in our TCCL catalog. Our ILL lending group includes over 200 libraries primarily in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Missouri.

How do I get titles from ILL?

  1. Search www.tulsalibrary.org for the title. If Tulsa City County owns the title, you should place a hold on it through our catalog. If the library does not have the title you want, click the "Search ILL" button. The catalog will automatically re-send your search to the ILL catalog. The next screen you see will be a search results screen from the ILL catalog called WorldCat2.
  2. If you locate the title you want in the WorldCat catalog, click on the title to go to the full record.
  3. To place a request on the title, click on the blue ‘Request item through Interlibrary Loan’ button on the right side of the page.
  4. If the item is owned by TCCL it might not be requestable through ILL.
  5. On the next screen, enter your last name and your complete library card number and click ‘Submit.’
  6. Look through the request form to confirm your information and the item’s information are correct.
  7. At the bottom of the page, select your preferred library pickup location, then click ‘Submit request.’
  8. You will be taken to your account’s request history page, where the request should show as Pending or Submitted.
  9. You can also view other ILL requests you have made on this page.

Note: ILL requests may be filled or canceled, depending on the availability of the item. The ILL catalog includes materials owned by libraries across the U.S. and in other countries. Many of those libraries are outside our regional lending area, and their materials may not be obtainable for loan.

How many titles can I check out from ILL?

You can have a total of 20 ILL titles at one time.

How long is the checkout period for ILL titles?

The typical checkout period for ILL items is 3 weeks. This is the standard period, but individual items may sometimes vary dependent upon the lending library's policies.

Can I renew titles I borrowed through ILL?

A 3-week renewal can be requested, but it may or may not be granted. The owning library will determine if the loan can be extended or not. To request a renewal, please contact the library’s Resource Sharing office at 918-549-7395 or ill@tulsalibrary.org.

How long will it take for my hold to arrive at my local library?

Average time for an item to arrive from the time the hold was placed is generally 3-4 weeks for ILL. Some items may take longer, depending on the delivery time via our courier.

How do I know when my hold has arrived?

You will be notified by e-mail or by phone, depending on how your library card is set up for notifications. 

Your online MyAccount is not currently providing correct information about Interlibrary Loan status, and says "Not Ready" regardless of whether the item is ready for you or not.  Please rely on your e-mail or phone notifications to know when your Interlibrary Loan materials are ready for pick-up at your branch.  

How long do I have to pick up my hold after it arrives?

ILL items will be held at your pickup branch for 7 days, just like holds on TCCL items.

I can't place holds in ILL. What might be the problem?

You will not be able to place holds or check out titles from ILL if:

  • Your library card has expired.
  • You owe fines or fees.
  • You have long overdue items on your record.
  • You already have 20 ILL items on your account.

What if I lose or damage an ILL item?

If an ILL item is lost or damaged, the owning library may charge a replacement fee. The amount of the fee will be determined by the owning library and applied to your library card.

How do I contact the Resource Sharing Department?

The Resource Sharing Department is located at the Support Services Center. Normal office hours are 9:00a.m to 6:00p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number is 918-549-7395. If the office is closed, you may leave a message on our voice mail.