Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
If we don't have it, we will try to get it for you.
Materials not owned by St. Charles City-County Library (SCCCLD) may be borrowed from other libraries in the United States. These materials may be obtained locally from another metro-area library or from as far away as Portland, ME or Portland, OR.
ILL service is available to customers age 18 and older who possess a valid library card in good standing. Children and teen requests may be submitted on their behalf by a parent or guardian. ILL requests are accepted in person at any branch.
Placing an Interlibrary Loan Request
Before placing an ILL request, check our catalog for the item. (Items owned by SCCCLD, on order, published within the previous 12 months, or available through our electronic databases are not available via ILL.)
Search WorldCat for the item.
Once you have found the item, visit your local branch’s reference desk. The librarian on duty will be happy to assist you in making your request.
When your item is ready for pick up, we will notify you by telephone or email. You will have 5 days to pick up your item. After this time, the item will be returned to the lender. Due to postage costs and various others expenses incurred by SCCCLD when obtaining ILL items, failure to pick up 3 requests in any three year period will result in a suspension of ILL privileges.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does placing an ILL request cost money?
Most ILL materials are borrowed for free thanks to reciprocal agreements with lending libraries. Should an item not be available for free, we will contact you at that time to inquire if you are willing to pay.
How soon will I receive my ILL item?
Generally, items arrive in 2 weeks. However it may take up to 8 weeks for delivery of your items. You will be notified by telephone or email when your materials are ready for pick up.
What types of items may I request through ILL?
A wide variety of materials are obtainable through ILL in any of the formats currently owned and circulated by the St. Charles City-County Library District. For example, we own DVDs, so these may be requested. But, at this time we do not own BluRays, so these should not be requested.
Additionally, we do own microfilm, but because it does not circulate, it may not be requested through ILL. Also, although we own and circulate e-books, because of licensing restrictions these are not available for ILL.
Some materials may be difficult to obtain but may be requested. These include, but are not limited to the following:
Do you provide Rush Service for requests?
While requests are processed in the most timely manner possible, we are unable to provide rush service. Please discuss your needs with one of our reference librarians. They may be able to help you locate alternate resources in a timely manner.
What happens if I lose my ILL item?
We realize our customers generally handle borrowed materials with great care. Unfortunately, if an ILL item is lost or damaged, SCCCLD will be billed for the damage and this cost must be passed on to the customer. Charges are set by the lending library and can be considerable. Additionally, processing fees may also be charged. Lenders will not accept substitute or replacement copies of titles.
How long may I keep my ILL?
Lending periods generally range from just one week to a month or more and are set by the lending library. In an effort to remain in good standing with our lenders, overdue ILL materials are subject to a higher late fee of $2.00 per day per item. ILL materials may be returned to any SCCCLD branch library.
How do I contact ILL?
Request should be placed at a library branch. However, for general questions, please feel free to call the ILL desk at 636-441-2300, extension 1562, 9:00 am – 4:30 pmMonday through Friday or email us anytime at ILLDesk@stchlibrary.org