Interlibrary Loan

While we have fantastic collections here at Oshawa Public Libraries, from time to time we might not own the items you are looking for. We may still be able to help you find these items through our Interlibrary Loan Service (ILL).

November 15, 2024 — Please note that due to the Canada Post strike, interlibrary loan requests have been suspended. New requests cannot be made and in-process requests have been paused. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Using interlibrary loan

  • Requests can take 3 to 8 weeks to fill, depending on item availability.
  • Loan periods and renewals are determined by the lending library.
  • We can't guarantee an item will be available by a certain date.
  • To process your request, your library card must be current and in good standing (i.e. no outstanding charges or overdue materials). We will notify you when the item arrives. Items must be picked up within 7 days of notification.

Material available through ILL include:

  • books (large print and regular)
  • talking books (CD audiobooks)
  • microfilm (please call or order these in person)

Please note that the following are not eligible for ILL:

Note: If an item was published less than one year ago and it is not in OPL's collection, please submit a purchase request for consideration.

Ordering

There are several ways to order an Interlibrary Loan:

Renewals

Unless an Interlibrary Loan item is labelled as non-renewable, you may be able to renew your item by calling (905) 579-6111, ext. 5235, or by emailing illo@oshawalibrary.on.ca. Requests for renewals should be made five (5) days before the due date so we may contact the lending library.

Overdue fines

  • Fines for overdue Interlibrary Loan items are $1.00 per day for renewable items, and $2.00 per day for non-renewable items. These fines are non-negotiable.
  • Lost or damaged fees are determined by the loaning library.

Status updates

Due to the volume of requests, we regret we are unable to notify customers if an item cannot be obtained. For updates on your requests, you can contact Interlibrary Loan staff at (905) 579-6111, ext. 5235, or at illo@oshawalibrary.on.ca. You will need to provide your library card number and the title of the requested item.

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