Interlibrary Loan Service for Customers of Hartford Public Library

About
Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a mechanism for obtaining items from other libraries when such items are not available at Hartford Public Library. This service of sharing of items between libraries is an integral element in the provision of library service to our citizens. The service is free.

Eligibility
This service is available to customers who are in good-standing and have a valid Hartford Public Library card.  

Allowable Items
Only books (except new books*) may be requested using Interlibrary Loan.

The following items cannot be requested: books on CD, audio books, sound recordings/CDs, DVDs, VHS videos, new books*, reference books, textbooks, magazines and newspapers, and microfilm/fiche

Requests
A customer can have no more than three (3) ILL items pending or in circulation at a time. For example, if a customer has ILL items checked out, they must return them before they can submit further requests.   If a customer has pending ILL requests in process, they cannot submit further requests.  If a customer has a combination of pending and checked out ILL items equaling three (3), they must wait until at least one ILL item is returned before they can submit another request.  

ILL request(s) can be made for allowable items by eligible customers through the following process:

1. Determine if we own the item(s) by searching the catalog.

2. If we do not own the item(s), submit request(s) in person at any library location, or by logging into your library account and completing the Send a Request form. Due to the volume of requests, please limit yourself to no more than three (3) per month. Please include as much information as possible about the book with your request.

Notification, Pick up, and Return
ILL Items are usually received within 15 business days.  When the item is received and processing is completed, notification will be made by telephone, email, or postcard. You will have 5 days to pick up the item.   At the end of the loan period, please return the item to one of our locations. To check on the status of your request, please call 860-695-6286.

Loan Period
The loan period for ILL items is three weeks with no renewals.  

Questions
If you have any questions regarding the interlibrary loan service, call 860-695-6295, or email ILL@hplct.org.