If an item does not exist anywhere in the Ventura County Library collection, we can place a request to borrow from another library system.
It is the other library’s decision whether to fulfill the request.
For new releases, popular titles, or those published within the last few years, please consider using the Suggest a Purchase form. Items released within the past six months are not eligible for Interlibrary Loan.
What to know before placing a request:
Search WorldCat, a global library catalog, to see if other libraries have the item.
Obtain the OCLC number, located under the show more information link on the item page beneath the description. This number is an identifier that libraries use for materials, and you will need it to complete the request form.
Complete and submit the ILL request form.
You may have a total of ten (10) ILL requests and/or items active at a time.
Your library account must not have fees accrued greater than $40.
You cannot request items that are owned by the Ventura County Library, even if there is a queue of holds.
The owning library determines whether to loan the item.
Titles released within the past six months are not eligible for Interlibrary Loan.
Items may take six to eight (6-8) weeks to arrive. You will be notified by phone call when your library branch receives the item.
Please pick up your items as soon as possible, as they are checked out to you by staff as soon as they are received. Do not remove the ILL label.
Renewal requests must be made to ILL staff via email; staff will contact you after the lending library responds.
Lending libraries are able to approve or deny lending extensions.
With the consent of the lending library, materials are eligible for renewal once, for an additional three (3) weeks.
Renewal requests must be placed on or before the due date. Overdue items are not eligible for renewal.
ILL items are not eligible for Auto Renew.
Please return items to staff at the public service desk with all the provided paperwork. Items may be returned to any Ventura County Library branch.
Ventura County Library does not charge for placing ILL requests.
ILL can be reached via email.