All interlibrary loan services are suspended for the duration of the Canada Post strike.
No new requests for interlibrary loans will be placed and all active requests are paused.
About interlibrary loans
Interlibrary loans are the way library materials are made available from one library system to another. If the Whitby Public Library does not own an item that you need, our Interlibrary Loans department will try to get a copy sent from another library. The Whitby Public Library will search for the item you need at other libraries in Ontario, and throughout Canada.
How do I get an interlibrary loan?
To request an interlibrary loan, you must have a WPL card that is in good standing.
You can submit a request in-person at any information desk, or by phoning or emailing any WPL branch. Please try to provide as much information about the item as you can so we can process your request as quickly as possible.
When your interlibrary loan arrives, you will be notified by phone unless you have requested email notification on your library account.
How long does an interlibrary loan take to arrive?
The length of time it takes for an interlibrary loan item to arrive varies. The time depends upon several factors such as the availability of the item, shipping and transit time. Materials sent from other provinces will take longer. It may take a number of weeks to complete your request.
Do I have to pay for an interlibrary loan?
While there are costs associated with interlibrary loan requests (costs that are higher when involving academic libraries), these are covered for you by the Whitby Public Library.
Interlibrary loan materials that are overdue after 8 days will be assumed lost and replacement fees will apply.
What is available through interlibrary loan?
- Books and audiobooks (except those published or copyrighted in the current year)
- Photocopies of newspaper, magazine and journal articles (that are not available in our databases)
- Microfilms/microfiche
- Government documents
- Language kits
However, each lending library has its own set of policies regarding what it will loan, so we may not be able to obtain certain items. If we cannot obtain an item, a staff member from the Interlibrary Loan department will contact you to let you know.
What is not available through interlibrary loan
- Books published in the current or previous year.
- Best-sellers, popular paperbacks, and other high-demand titles
- Book Club Sets
- CD-ROMs
- Computer games
- DVDs and Blu rays
- eBooks
- Music CDs
- Reference materials
What materials may not be available through Interlibrary Loan?
Owning libraries may choose not to send us the following materials:
- Non-circulating/reference materials
- Books published and/or copyrighted in the current year
- Magazines, except photocopies of specific articles
- Textbooks for academic courses
- Genealogical material
- Rare books
- Oversized materials
- Unpublished dissertations and theses
- Books with an audiovisual component
Requests for Textbooks
If you are a student, we highly suggest that you contact your college or university library to place an interlibrary loan request for a textbook. If you are not able to access your academic institution’s library, you may be able to request material through the Ontario Tech University Library as part of their Reciprocal Borrowing program. Contact the Ontario Tech Library for more details.
Is there a limit on interlibrary loan requests?
You can have 5 active interlibrary loan requests at one time. Note that other institutional microfilm lending limits may also apply.
How can I check the status of my interlibrary loan request?
Please contact any branch or email illo@whitbylibrary.ca to check the status of your interlibrary loan request.
How long may I keep the interlibrary loan item?
The loan period for interlibrary loan items is 4 weeks, depending on the item, the owning library may restrict the material to in-library use only (the item must be used within the WPL and cannot be taken home). Interlibrary loans cannot be renewed.
How do I cancel my interlibrary loan requests?
To cancel your interlibrary loan request, please contact any branch or email illo@whitbylibrary.ca.
Questions?
If you have any additional questions about interlibrary loans, please contact any branch or email illo@whitbylibrary.ca.