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Interlibrary Loans for VPL Cardholders

Note: The approval process for interlibrary loan requests to other libraries can take as long as 3 to 8 weeks depending on the current volume of patron requests. Thank you for your patience.

If Vancouver Public Library does not own the item, we will try to borrow it from another library system via interlibrary loan. We will search for the item you requested at other libraries in the Lower Mainland, British Columbia, and Canada. U.S. library holdings can be searched for a minimum fee of $15.

Please note: if you are looking for a book published in the current year or previous year, please Suggest a Title.

Request an interlibrary loan

How long before I get the material I requested?

The interlibrary loan process can take eight to fourteen weeks, depending on the location and the availability of the item.

If you need the material sooner, please visit VPL's fee-based InfoAction research service.

How much do I have to pay?

We always try to locate materials without a fee first; however, if the item is not currently available free of charge, we will try to borrow from the library with the lowest lending fee, up to the maximum you are willing to pay.

Indicate the maximum amount you are willing to pay in order to obtain the materials.

  • Lending Library charges
    • If the Lending Library charges VPL a fee, we will pass the fee on to you. An additional $15 charge will be applied to materials obtained from the US.
    • If the lending fee is above the “Max Cost” indicated, the request will be cancelled and it can be re-requested again after three months.
  • Document delivery charges
    • Minimum fee is $5 per article.
  • Non-pickup charges
    If you do not pick up your interlibrary loan materials we charge the following fees:
    • Fees from the Lending Library, plus:
      • $5 for material borrowed from outside BC.
      • $2 for material borrowed from within BC.
  • Late charges
    Interlibrary loan materials must be returned to any VPL location before closing on the due date.
    Starting June 1, 2022, VPL will no longer be charging overdue fines on all VPL material (including interlibrary loans). Any outstanding late charges will be removed from borrowers’ accounts. Eliminating overdue fines is another way VPL is helping to address affordability in Vancouver. 
  • Lost charges
    You are responsible for replacement costs for lost or damaged materials. We charge you what the lending library charges us for the item, plus a $12 handling fee.
  • Missing wrapper or barcode
    Please do not remove the barcoded label/wrapper on the loaned item. There is a $2 charge for items returned without the barcoded Interlibrary Loan label.

What is available through interlibrary loan?

  • Books (except those published in the current or previous year - you may Suggest a Title for new books)
  • Photocopies of newspaper, magazine, and journal articles
  • Microfilm or microfiche (may only be viewed at Central Library)
  • Government documents
  • Conference proceedings
  • Select reference books may only be viewed in Special Collections at the Central Library

What material may not be requested?

  • Books owned by VPL (unless designated lost, on trace for a minimum of three months, or in mends)
  • Books published or copyrighted in the current or previous year - you may Suggest a Title
  • Audiovisual materials (DVDs, CDs, CD-ROMs, computer software, computer games)
  • Individual or bound issues of magazines
  • Graphic novels
  • Zines
  • eBooks
  • Items you have received via interlibrary loan in the previous three month period

What material may not be available?

Lending libraries may choose not to send the following materials:

  • Non-circulating or reference materials
  • Bestsellers, popular paperbacks, or other high-demand titles
  • Magazines, except photocopies of specific articles
  • Pamphlets
  • Textbooks for academic courses
  • Genealogical material
  • Rare books
  • Oversized materials such as large maps
  • Unpublished dissertations or theses
  • Books published in multi-volume sets
  • Books with an audiovisual component

Is there a limit on the number of interlibrary loan requests I may have?

You may have ten interlibrary loan requests at one time. There may be limits on microfilm requests depending on the lending library or institution.

How can I check the status of my interlibrary loan request?

You can check the status of your ILL request online. Your request will remain pending until the item is available for pickup at your chosen library branch. Requests can take eight to fourteen weeks to arrive.

How do I change the pick-up location of my interlibrary loan?

To change the pick-up location for your interlibrary loan call 604.331.3603 and ask for Interlibrary Loans or email us at interlibrary.loan@vpl.ca.

  • You may change the pick-up location prior to receiving notification that your item is available.
  • After the interlibrary loan item is available for pick-up, the location may not be changed.

How long may I keep the interlibrary loan material?

The loan period is three weeks unless the lending library requires a shorter loan period. Interlibrary loans cannot be renewed, nor re-requested for a three month period.

How do I cancel my online interlibrary loan request?

To cancel your online interlibrary loan request call 604.331.3603 and ask for Interlibrary Loans or email us at interlibrary.loan@vpl.ca.

Note:

  • If your request is cancelled, it may not be re-requested for a three month period.
  • If you have agreed to pay any fees in order to obtain the item, these fees will still be applied if your item was received at VPL, or the item is already on its way to VPL.