Interlibrary Loans

The Vancouver Public Library’s holdings of genealogy resources are extensive, but there will be times when an item that you want is not found in the collection. In many cases, it is possible to obtain microfilms, books or photocopies from other libraries and archives through the Library's Interlibrary Loan department.

Although most materials obtained through interlibrary loan are free, there is sometimes a charge. This occurs if the lending institution charges a fee to the Vancouver Public Library.

Detailed information about the VPL Interlibrary Loan service is available on the Interlibrary Loans web page. You can also go directly to the Interlibrary Loan Request Menu to submit details of item(s) that you would like to obtain.

Before submitting any request, find as much information as possible about the item that you want to obtain. For example, if you are ordering a microfilm, make sure that you know the number of the microfilm, the range of dates that it covers, and the archival record group name and number of the original records.

Not all materials are available through interlibrary loan. Some repositories do not lend any materials at all.

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