Interlibrary Loan for Individuals

Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is the borrowing and lending of materials between library systems. We share materials with libraries locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.

How to Make an ILL Request

Before you submit your request, please verify that we do not already provide access to the material by checking the following sites:

Library Catalog - for all desired formats including eBooks and Digital Audiobooks from OverDrive
Hoopla - for streaming digital Audiobooks, Music, Movies, TV, Comics, and eBooks
Freegal - for streaming digital Music and Audiobooks

If you don't find the item that you need, locate the record in WorldCat and click "Request from another library" on the item record to begin your transaction. You will be redirected to the Tipasa software to complete the transaction.

If you can't locate the item in WorldCat, make a request via Tipasa by giving the title, author, and as much bibliographic/citation information as possible.

Customer Eligibility

Cardholders with PUBLIC, STAFF, and school (SCH and STUDNT) user profiles in good standing with a fully validated greater KC metro area address are eligible for ILL service.
An account in good standing is defined as not currently being in BLOCKED, SUSPENDED, or EXPIRED status.
A validated greater KC metro area address is defined as a user account with a Region of KC-RESDNT or KC-AREA. Users with a non-greater KC metro area address and with a defined user account region of KC-OUTAREA or UNKNOWN are ineligible for ILL service.
User accounts with the user Profile Name KC-MONTH and KC-NEWREG are ineligible, because these profiles are assigned by the online portal and ILL requires staff-verified patron contact information.
The following types of user accounts are ineligible because ILL cannot guarantee checkouts for extended periods of time:

Educator accounts with the user Profile Name KC-EDUC or KC-CLASS
KC Library by Mail accounts with the user Profile Name KC-OUT-HBB

Material Eligibility

Eligible

Items not owned by the Kansas City Public Library
Books
CDs, both musical and spoken word
Copies of periodical articles
LP recordings
Maps
Microform (Note, microfiche and microfilm must be viewed and copied at the Central Library)
Music scores
Playaways

Ineligible

Items owned by Kansas City Public Library
DVDs
Items published within the current year
eContent
Games
Items older than 100 years
Items that cost more than $300 to replace should they become lost or damaged
Materials needed in less than two weeks
Reference and genealogy material
Textbooks or classroom related items
Zines

How it Works

ILL items usually arrive at the KC Public Library within 2-5 weeks of the initial request. Note: We do not process rush requests, nor can we guarantee how long it will take to receive an item.
Upon arrival, ILL staff will place the item on hold for you and send it to your preferred pickup location. If your item is a Copy Request, it will typically be sent electronically, unless you have indicated that you prefer them to be mailed.
You will receive a notice that your item is available for pickup at your preferred branch. Items may be picked up at the customer service desk, where library staff will mediate the checkout.

ILL items have a large, green sticker label on the front of the item, which includes the ILL Due Date, the checkout information needed by staff members, and the ILL department contact info. **DO NOT REMOVE THIS LABEL** See the ILL Policy for Label or Paperwork Removal.
Interlibrary loan materials may also include paperwork provided by the lending library, which may be tucked-in or paper-clipped in the item. **DO NOT REMOVE ANY PAPERWORK** See the ILL Policy for Label or Paperwork Removal.
All ILL items circulate for 2 weeks from time of check-out. Branch staff will write the due date on the green sticker label.
If not returned by the due date, the lending library may charge a replacement fee plus a processing fee. This could range from $20-$500. See the ILL Policy for Late Returns.

ILL items may be subject to recall at any time by the lending library. If you receive a recall notice for an interlibrary loan item, please return it to your nearest branch immediately. We will try to locate another copy for you.
If you wish to renew your item, please use your ILL account online, call 816.701.3463, or email to ask for a renewal. Items may be renewed only once, and overdue items may not be renewed.
To return your ILL item, simply bring it back to any of the Kansas City Public Library branches.

Limits & Fees

Due to the high volume of requests we receive, customers are limited to 5 active requests at once. An active request is one that has not been returned to and received by the lending library.

While it is our policy not to charge our customers for ILL items, some libraries do charge to lend their materials. If this happens, you will be notified in advance of us ordering the material. Fees can range from as little as $5.00 dollars on up.

Pay Now

Practices & Guidelines

The conditions of this service are set by the Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States, Copyright Law of the United States, CONTU Guidelines, and by the regulations of individual libraries. Requests for copies must comply with Section 108 of the U.S. Copyright Law.

Other libraries wishing to borrow/return KCPL items or make ILL queries may contact us at:

Kansas City Public Library
Interlibrary Loan Department
14 West 10^th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
Email | 816.701.3463

Frequently Asked Questions

If you lose or damage an ILL item, the replacement fee will be determined by the lending library and could be upwards of $150. ILL staff handle lost and damaged items and will work with lending libraries to determine the replacement fee.

See ILL Policy for Damaged Materials.

The ILL software helps us process your requests and items in a quick and efficient manner. It also lets you view the status of your request and make renewal requests at any time.

Items are usually received and processed within 2-5 weeks. However, the time may vary depending on the availability of the item, the location of the library willing to lend the item, and the way the item is shipped. Tipasa allows you 24-hour access to your ILL account.

You will be notified automatically by the method you indicated when filling out your library card application.

ILL items must be picked up at the pick-up location you specify.

While it is our policy not to charge our customers for interlibrary loans, some libraries do charge to lend their materials. If this happens, you will be notified in advance of us ordering the material.

Due to the high volume of requests we receive, we now limit customers to 5 active requests at once. An active request is one that has not been returned to and received by the lending library.

All ILL items circulate for 2 weeks from time of check-out.

The lending library determines if they will allow renewals. We will request renewals for you. Please use your ILL account or call 816.701.3463 to ask for a renewal. Items may be renewed only once and overdue items may not be renewed.

The green sticker has all the information needed for staff to identify the item and to correctly check the item in and out for you. This is why it is important that you do not remove the green sticker. It also provides you with the correct due date.

See the ILL Policy for Label or Paperwork Removal.

Interlibrary loan depends upon the good will of other libraries. Failure to return the item on time jeopardizes our future borrowing privileges. Lending libraries charge replacement charges plus a processing fee. Replacement charges range from $20 to over $500 if the item is not currently in print.

See the ILL Policy for Late Returns.

ILL materials may be returned in the standard book return at any Kansas City Public Library location.

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