Wichita Falls Public Library - Interlibrary Loan

Looking for something that the Wichita Falls Public Library (WFPL) just doesn’t have? What can you do? You can ask the Interlibrary Loan Librarian to locate the source at another library and make an Interlibrary Loan request for you.

WHAT IS INTERLIBRARY LOAN?

Because no library can own everything, Interlibrary Loan, or ILL, is a system that allows libraries to share resources with one another. The ILL Librarian at WFPL locates a potential lending library and sends a request to borrow the item. The lending library photocopies articles or checks-out the material in the name of WFPL and mails it here for you to pick-up and checkout on your library card.

HOW DO I ORDER?

Interlibrary Loan request forms are available online by completing our or you may request a form at the Adult Information Services Desk. No telephone requests will be taken. You must have a valid Wichita Falls Public Library card to place a request. Fill out one form for each separate item you need. The following information is needed: author’s name, title of book, and date of publication (if known). When requesting an article from a magazine or journal, we need the title of the journal, article title, volume number and pages in which the article appears. Microfilm requests should include reel numbers and dates when possible.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

You are required to pay one-way postage determined by weight (generally about $2.00 per book), plus any additional fees assessed by the lending library. Photocopies of articles are often provided free of charge or for a minimal fee. Microfilm requests often require the patron to pay additional insurance charges and lending fees. Some rare items may be very expensive. Please state on each form the maximum expense you are willing to bear for the requested material. Fines for overdue ILL materials are 10 cents per day, with a 5-day “grace period.” If an item is lost or damaged you are responsible for the replacement cost plus any additional processing fees assessed by the lending library.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

The length of time involved in obtaining a loan or photocopy can vary considerably. We have no control over how long another library will take to fill an order. However, most materials can be obtained with two to three weeks after a request is submitted. Requests for microfilm can take up to six months to fill due to limited availability. Be sure to submit requests well in advance of your need to avoid disappointment. You will be notified by TELECIRC, the library’s automated telephone notification system, when the material arrives.

Materials ready for pick-up are held at the Circulation Desk for TEN DAYS, except article requests, which are mailed to the patron’s address. If we are unable to fill your request, you will receive by mail your original request form along with an ILL service report indicating the reason we were unable to obtain the material.

HOW LONG DO I GET TO KEEP THE MATERIAL?

The lending library determines the loan period and renewal policy for its materials. You can expect to keep most materials for two to four weeks. Interlibrary Loan is essential to the vitality of our resource sharing system. Borrowing materials from other institutions is a privilege. Occasionally, libraries will lend materials with certain restrictions, such as in-library use only, or a shorter check out period, or no renewal. Our library respects all restrictions placed on materials by the lending library. Users are expected to honor due dates and comply with any restrictions stipulated by the lending library. ILL relies on consideration and good will, when ILL materials are not returned promptly; it reflects poorly on the borrowing library and some lenders may stop lending materials to the offending library. Therefore, not returning ILL materials can result in court action and charges of at least $90.00 per item. Please return your ILL materials on or before the due date stamped on the ILL book band.

WHAT KINDS OF MATERIALS ARE NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH ILL?

Although we attempt to fill almost any request submitted, the following types of materials are often difficult (or impossible) to obtain through Interlibrary Loan:

Recently published books (less than 9 months old)
Entire volumes or issues of periodicals
Reference works
Rare books or original manuscripts
Audiobooks, videos, DVDs or computer software
Some doctoral dissertations and masters theses
Genealogy materials are extremely difficult to acquire, however we are usually able able to obtain copies (30 page maximum).
Some microfilm is available, but usually involves a lengthy wait due to limited availability

If you have further questions, please contact the ILL Librarian at (940) 767-0868 ext. 230 or email ref@wfpl.net

All Interlibrary Loan services are governed by the American Library Association Interlibrary Loan Code, national and regional agreements, and the Copyright Law (PL 94-553).