Before applying for an Interlibrary Loan, always check the Mountain View Public Library catalog first to see if we have the item. Then check the LINK+ system using the Search LINK+ button to see if it is available elsewhere. There is no cost for the LINK+ service. If neither of these sources has the book that you want, then you should apply for an Interlibrary Loan. There is a processing fee of $25.00 for us to look for the item, and then there may be an additional fee from the lending library.

What Is an Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service that provides access to materials not available at the Mountain View Public Library. These materials are borrowed from over 20,000 public, private, and academic libraries throughout the United States. Except for photocopies of specific articles, materials obtained through ILL are on temporary loan.

Who can use Interlibrary Loan Services?

Anyone who has a valid Mountain View Public Library card can use this service.

How much does it cost?

Mountain View Public Library charges $25.00 for each submitted request. This cost is not refundable even if we are unsuccessful in obtaining the requested materials. This charge does not include additional fees that the lending library might impose. Some lending libraries charge between $5.00 to $20.00 for lending materials. For photocopy requests, lending libraries usually charge anywhere from $5.00 to $25.00 per article.

What kind of materials can be requested?

Books can be requested. Photocopies of articles from magazines or newspapers can be requested in accordance with the Copyright Guidelines. U.S. Census data on microfilm, theses or dissertations can also be requested.

Materials most difficult to obtain are new books, reference materials, rare collections, genealogy materials, and old newspapers on microfilm.

Audiovisual materials may not be requested.

How do I place an ILL request?

Interlibrary Loan request cards are available at the Reference, Information, and Children's desk. Library staff will provide assistance in completing the card if needed.

The author's name, full title and a specific edition or year, if known, are required information for books. For a journal request, the full journal title, author and title of the article, volume and date of the issue, and page number(s) are needed.

Include any information that might help locate the material. Incomplete information might delay processing and obtaining your requested material.

Please indicate the amount you are willing to pay. If you are not willing to pay anything, indicate this as well. There are often additional costs for photocopies of journal articles.

How long will it take to fill a request?

It may take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks to obtain most materials. Difficult requests may take much longer. Delivery time will depend on the availability of material from the lending library and the delivery service.
If you have a specific deadline by which you need the material, please indicate this on the card. We will make every effort to obtain the material by that date or we will cancel the request and notify you if it cannot be obtained within that time.

You will be contacted by mail, phone, or e-mail when the material arrives.

How long is the loan period?

For loan of books or other materials, the lending library will set the length of time and any special conditions of the loan, such as "in library use only" or "not renewable." Photocopies of journals are yours to keep after paying for any additional cost.

Where do I pick up ILL materials?

Your material will be held for you at the Circulation desk for 7 days. Failure to pick up material will result in the material being returned to the lending library. Your loan period is set by the lending library and your due date will be noted on the wrapper outside the book.

Reference, microfilm and rare materials are usually "in library use only." These materials will be held for you at the Reference desk. Any additional charges for these materials must be paid prior to using them in the library.

Renewing materials, except for the items marked "not renewable", is two weeks after the due date only if permitted by the lending library. Renew items at the Circulation desk or call our Renewal number (650) 903-6885.

There is a fine of 25 cents a day for overdue materials and you are responsible for the damage or loss of any interlibrary loan material.

It is crucial to respect and adhere to any restrictions placed on interlibrary loan materials by the lending library if we are to maintain our borrowing privileges with other libraries.