Contact Information for the Interlibrary Loans Staff

The province's Public Library Services Branch coordinates the Interlibrary Loans service that allows members of any British Columbia public or academic library to borrow books from other libraries through their own library. This service gives you access to over 3 million books.

Rules for Borrowing Interlibrary Loans

1. You must have a library card and be a member of the library in good standing.
2. You can only have 1 interlibrary loan on order at a time.
3. Please check the library’s online catalogue first to ensure that we do not have the book.
4. New books are not available through interlibrary loan (i.e. a 2009 book cannot be borrowed until mid-2010).
   
5. $5 will be charged for any items requested but not picked up.
6. Other charges may be levied by lending institutions. Staff will inform you if this is the case.
7. Note that books borrowed through interlibrary loans may not be renewable. Please make renewal requests in person by contacting library staff in person or by phone or email.
8. At this time, only books - not audiovisual or electronic media - can be borrowed.
9. We will coordinate the loan of microfilms but special conditions and charges do apply. Please contact our helpful staff for details.
   

How to find a book

You can check the availability of titles by clicking on the icon below. This will take you to a catalogue of all public and academic libraries in British Columbia. You can search this catalogue from your home computer, from a public computer in the library, or staff can search for you.

How to Request a Book Online

When you have found a book you want to borrow, you can place your request online:

1. If you find more than one record for the title you want, choose the one with the most locations. This number is in brackets following "Locations".
2. Click on the title to select the item you want. While in the record for the book, click on Request this item.
3. A new window will open and you will need to establish a patron profile. Please note that only the red fields in the patron profile are required but we prefer that you add your library card number. Please enter your name last name first. Your personal information will only be seen by Nelson library staff.
4. After setting up the profile, click Submit and the request is placed.
5. Staff will notify you when the book arrives or if there is a problem with your request.

How to request a book in person

If you prefer, you may also place your request in hardcopy by downloading an Interlibrary Loan form below and faxing it, emailing it, or dropping it off at the Library.