Interlibrary Loan
Information for TPL customers who want to request materials from another library system
Use Interlibrary Loan to request books, microfilm, photocopies, or other material that Toronto Public Library doesn't have in its collections.
What you can request
Types of materials you can request
- You can request any type of item, depending on availability and the policies of the lending library, but in general, DVDs, CDs, and other audiovisual materials are not available for interlibrary loan.
- If TPL only has a reference (in-library use) copy of an item, you can use Interlibrary Loan to request a circulating copy from another library system.
- Microfilms and journal articles can be requested as long as you have specific citations for what you want.
Types of materials you can't request
- Items with circulating copies in Toronto Public Library
- Material published in the last 12 months
- Rare and fragile material, original manuscripts
- Reference material
- Newspapers and magazines
- eBooks, eAudiobooks, online resources
Making a request
A valid Toronto Public Library card is required to make an interlibrary loan request. How to get a library card
There are two ways to submit an interlibrary loan request:
Online form
Submit your request using our online form.
In-person request
Visit any library branch to place a request with staff.
How interlibrary loan works
How long it takes
- Requests take 3 to 8 weeks to fill, and may take longer if the item is coming from outside of Ontario.
- We canʼt guarantee an item will be received by a certain date.
- We arenʼt able to accommodate rush requests.
Where you can pick up your item
- When you submit your request, you can specify the Toronto Public Library branch where you want the item to be sent for pickup.
- Microfilms must be picked up and used at a branch that has microfilm readers: Toronto Reference Library, North York Central Library, Richview, or Cedarbrae.
Borrowing rules
- You can have a maximum of 10 unfilled interlibrary loan requests in process at one time.
- Interlibrary loan items are counted toward the maximum holds (100) and the maximum checkouts (50) you are allowed at one time.
- You must submit a separate request form for each title.
- Loan periods are determined by the lending library and are usually 2 to 4 weeks, starting from the day Toronto Public Library receives the item.
- Items may be renewed if the lending library allows it. If an item can be renewed, it will be noted on the yellow band on the item. You must contact your branch to request a renewal 3 days before the item is due.
Fees
- Interlibrary loans are free unless the lending library charges for the loan. In that case, the fee will be passed along to you.
- If interlibrary loan materials are lost or damaged, you will have to pay the amount charged by the lending library.
- There is a $1.00 fine if you don't pick up interlibrary loans that have been ordered for you, and you will also have to pay any fees charged by the lending library.