INTERLIBRARY LOANS

The Huron County Library strives to provide patrons with a wide variety of books and resources. However, the library may not always have the items that you want.

Our Interlibrary Loan Service gives you access to the collections of other library systems from across Ontario.  If there is a title you are looking for that we do not have in our system, speak to branch staff about placing an Interlibrary Loan request.  You can also register for your own ILLO account to place your own requests through the provincial interlibrary loan tool INFO (Information Network for Ontario).

For more information about this service, read through our Interlibrary Loan FAQ section below, or contact your local branch.

What materials can be borrowed through ILLO?

Print and Audiobooks can be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan. Microfilm materials and photocopies of magazine, periodical, and newspaper articles can also be requested through this service.

Are there any restrictions?

Interlibrary Loan requests cannot be made on items:

• already in the Huron County Library collection
• on order
• book club sets
• published in the last two years
• complete magazine and periodical issues
• rare or fragile books
• reference materials

Interlibrary loan requests will be capped at 5 requests per patron per month. There is no guarantee that a request will be filled.

How long does it take to get ILLO materials?

Delivery times of items requested will vary depending on how long it takes to find a library that will supply the item, and mailing times will vary depending on the library system supplying the item.

How can I request books through Interlibrary Loan?

Requests for materials not owned by the Huron County Library can be made to staff at your local library branch or through an interlibrary loan account. Be sure to provide staff with the title and author of the book you want to find, as well as your own information including your name, library card number, and telephone number.

To to register for an interlibrary loan account, please contact your local library branch or send an email to our Interlibrary Loan office at interlibloan@huroncounty.ca. Be sure to include the same information mentioned above as well as your email address and your preferred pickup location (usually the library you use the most).

You can then place your own interlibrary loan requests online using INFO (Information Network for Ontario) to locate and place requests on materials. If you’re a first time user, library staff are happy to walk you through using the service.

Do I have to pay to borrow Interlibrary Loan items?

No. This service is provided to Huron County Library cardholders free of charge.

Where can I return Interlibrary Loan items?

Any materials borrowed through Interlibrary Loan can be returned to any Huron County Library branch. 

Am I able to renew my Interlibrary Loan items?

You can request to renew your Interlibrary Loan items by contacting your local library or by emailing interlibloan@huroncounty.ca .  You will be notified if the lending library is unable to renew the item.

Are there fines for Interlibrary loan?

While overdue materials will not be fined, there are other fines associated with overdue materials borrowed through ILLO:

  • The fine for returning an ILLO item after the local due date is $1/per day.
  • The fee for losing an ILLO item is set by the lending library system.
  • The fee for not picking up ILLO item(s) within 14 days of it being available is $5/item.
  • The fee for losing an ILLO bookmark is $2.