Interlibrary Loan Request

Would you like to borrow an item that the Mercer County Library System (MCLS) does not have in the catalog? Complete and submit the online Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Request Form below to ILL request an item be loaned to you from another library outside of the MCLS. The ILL Department will reach out to you if they encounter any issues in fulfilling your ILL request. This service is often useful for temporarily obtaining specialized, expensive or older items.

Who is eligible to request items through ILL?

Only those with a valid Mercer County Library card can borrow ILL items.

How long will it take to receive the item requested?

One to three weeks, depending on whether the item is held by a New Jersey library. If it is not, and is only held by a few libraries nationwide, it could take longer than three weeks.

Should I fill out an ILL Request Form or a Suggest for Purchase Form?

Typically, if you want to request a newly published/released item, we prefer to purchase it rather than loan it from another library. In this case, please use our Suggest for Purchase Form. Otherwise, fill out the ILL Request Form below to request older items from libraries outside our system.

What types of items (materials) can be requested through ILL?

You can request articles, audiobooks on CD and cassette tapes, books, nonfiction blu-rays and DVDs, and microfilms. Be aware that we can only fulfill requests for physical items; audiobooks available at another New Jersey library; nonfiction audiovisual blu-rays and DVDs; and items that we do not already own.

How do I request an item through ILL?

You can request an ILL by filling out the ILL Request Form. Alternatively, you can request an ILL in person at any of our branches or by phone at 609-883-0245.

How much does an ILL cost?

Typically, there is no charge beyond the $0.10 per page for black and white photocopying. However, some academic and special libraries charge to interlibrary loan items and may charge a higher per page fee for photocopies. We will get your consent before fulfilling a request that requires an additional cost.

How many items can I request through ILL?

There is a limit of three item requests and three copy/scan requests per patron.

How long can I keep the item?

Items can be checked out for four weeks. No item is automatically renewable. To determine if a one-time renewal of the item is possible, contact the ILL Office at 609-883-0245 or mclill@mcl.org no later than three days prior to the due date.

How long will it take to receive the item requested?

ILL requests may take up to four weeks to fully process before they become available.

For more information, please review the full ILL Policy.

Guidelines for submissions

Please do not use the online ILL Request Form to suggest purchases. There is a separate Suggest for Purchase form.
Please check to make sure the item you’re interested in requesting through ILL is not already in our catalog.
Patrons are limited to three active ILL requests and three active ILL article requests at any one time. “Active” ILL requests include requests that are currently processing as well as ILL items that are already checked-out.
- Three ILL requests (audiobooks on CD and cassette, books, nonfiction DVDs & Blu-rays, microfilm)
- Three ILL article requests (books, journals, microfilm, periodicals, etc.)
ILL requests may take up to four weeks to fully process before they become available.
The following items cannot be borrowed through ILL:
- Fiction movies & television shows
- Launchpads
- Music CDs
- Playaways
- Video Games
Audiobooks or Books on CD and Books on Cassette can only be borrowed from other New Jersey libraries.

Name*
Please include your first and last name.

Library Barcode*
The 14 digital number on the back of your Library Card. Please do not include the spaces.

Email Address*
If you do not have an email address, please keep mclill@mcl.org.

Phone Number*
Please include the area code as well.

Material Type*

Article Delivery*
Email (no charge). The article will be emailed to you by the ILL Department after they have received it from another ILL lending library.Print in black and white ($0.10 per page). A staff member from your designated pick-up branch will contact you to schedule a pick-up time & date. Exact change is required at time of pick-up.

Microfilm Delivery*
Email (no charge). The article will be emailed to you by the ILL Department after they have received it from another ILL lending library.Print in black and white ($0.10 per page). A staff member from your designated pick-up branch will contact you to schedule a pick-up time & date. Exact change is required at time of pick-up.View in Branch.

Library Branch*

Title*

Author*

Journal Title*

Volume*

Issue*

Page Numbers*

Publisher*

Identifier (ISBN, UPC, or ISSN)

Publication or Release Date

Additional Information

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