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Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Requests

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who may use ILL?
ILL services are available to anyone with an Aurora Public Library account in good standing. In other words, if you can check out material from the library then you can request items through ILL.
How do I place a request?
Before submitting a request, please check the Aurora Public Library online catalog as well as the Prospector catalog. Prospector is much faster than Interlibrary Loan.
How many requests may I submit?
You may have up to ten (10) active requests at any given time. Any requests beyond ten will be processed as the active requests are returned. Please submit one (1) form for each item requested. Citations should be as complete as possible and abbreviations should be avoided.
How long will it take to receive the materials?
Most ILL requests can be filled within 2 to 3 weeks depending on the location of the supplying library and their method of shipment. It can take up to six weeks to receive an item. The Interlibrary Loan office cannot promise to meet deadlines so please plan ahead.
How much will it cost?
Every effort is made to borrow materials at no charge. Most book and photocopy requests from reciprocating libraries are free of charge. Sometimes, however, an item is held only at a library that charges to lend or photocopy. Universities and medical libraries, for example, generally charge between $10 and $20. If an item costs more than you are willing to pay you will be notified of that cost by US mail or email.
How long can I keep the material? May I renew it?
The due date of your ILL is set by the lending library and may differ from the standard APL loan period. Renewals are at the discretion of the lending library so please let us know at least 3 days before the due date if you wish to request a renewal.
How will I be notified when the material arrives?
When the item arrives at the ILL office, it will be processed and forwarded to the branch you indicated on the request form. You will be contacted by either phone or email. If the ILL office in unable to obtain the requested item, you will receive an email or letter by mail stating why we could not get it.
What kind of material is available for loan through ILL?
As a department we do not limit what may be requested but some libraries do limit what they will loan. Items such as periodicals, reference or rare items, microforms , genealogical material, and audio/visual material are difficult to obtain.