Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is the borrowing and lending of materials between library systems. Anyone with a Kansas City Public Library card in good standing may request items.
Before you submit your request, please verify that we do not already provide access to the material by checking the following sites:
If you don't find the item that you need, locate the record in WorldCat and click "Request from another library" on the item record to begin your transaction. You will be redirected to the Tipasa software to complete the transaction.
If you can't locate the item in WorldCat, make a request via Tipasa by giving the title, author, and as much bibliographic/citation information as possible.
Due to the high volume of requests we receive, customers are limited to 5 active requests at once. An active request is one that has not been returned to and received by the lending library.
While it is our policy not to charge our customers for ILL items, some libraries do charge to lend their materials. If this happens, you will be notified in advance of us ordering the material. Fees can range from as little as $5.00 dollars on up.
Pay NowIf you lose or damage an ILL item, the replacement fee will be determined by the lending library and could be upwards of $150. ILL staff handle lost and damaged items and will work with lending libraries to determine the replacement fee.
The ILL software helps us process your requests and items in a quick and efficient manner. It also lets you view the status of your request and make renewal requests at any time.
Items are usually received and processed within 2-5 weeks. However, the time may vary depending on the availability of the item, the location of the library willing to lend the item, and the way the item is shipped. Tipasa allows you 24-hour access to your ILL account.
You will be notified automatically by the method you indicated when filling out your library card application.
ILL items must be picked up at the pick-up location you specify.
While it is our policy not to charge our customers for interlibrary loans, some libraries do charge to lend their materials. If this happens, you will be notified in advance of us ordering the material.
Due to the high volume of requests we receive, we now limit customers to 5 active requests at once. An active request is one that has not been returned to and received by the lending library.
All ILL items circulate for 2 weeks from time of check-out.
The lending library determines if they will allow renewals. We will request renewals for you. Please use your ILL account or call 816.701.3463 to ask for a renewal. Items may be renewed only once and overdue items may not be renewed.
The green sticker has all the information needed for staff to identify the item and to correctly check the item in and out for you. This is why it is important that you do not remove the green sticker. It also provides you with the correct due date.
Interlibrary loan depends upon the good will of other libraries. Failure to return the item on time jeopardizes our future borrowing privileges. Lending libraries charge replacement charges plus a processing fee. Replacement charges range from $20 to over $500 if the item is not currently in print.
ILL materials may be returned in the standard book return at any Kansas City Public Library location.
