If Fort Vancouver Regional Library District doesn't own the material you are looking for, we can try to obtain it for you from another source. Requests for material published within the last year are usually forwarded to the Collection Development department to be purchased for our collection. Material over a year old can usually be borrowed for you from another library system through Interlibrary Loan.

Before you make a request, please check the catalog or the periodical databases in our electronic resources to make sure that the material you need is not already available somewhere in the district.

To make a request or to create your ILLiad account if you are a new user, visit the ILLiad web site.

What is Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary Loan is a service provided by Fort Vancouver Regional Library District (FVRL) that allows us to borrow materials we do not own from other library systems. Interlibrary Loan represents a cooperative agreement among libraries around the world to share their resources. Interlibrary Loan is a library-to-library transaction.

What is ILLiad?

ILLiad is the electronic system you use to request an item through Interlibrary Loan (beginning September 7). It stands for InterLibrary Loan Internet Accessible Database. ILLiad replaces our traditional paper-based Interlibrary Loan format, and is part of FVRL's overall transition to web-based systems.

With ILLiad, you can:

• Place requests anytime from any computer or device with Internet access.
• Check on the status of your request via the Web at any time.
• Receive automatic e-mail messages about the results of your requests.
• Request renewals online.
• Experience more efficient processing of your requests with our web-based system.

Who can borrow materials through Interlibrary Loan?

FVRL library card holders in good standing who are residents of Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, and card holders who live outside the district but pay taxes that support FVRL or who purchase a non-resident borrower's card may request items through Interlibrary Loan. Camas Public Library card holders who are residents of the City of Camas or purchase a Camas non-resident card may place Interlibrary Loan requests with FVRL, but are encouraged to use the Interlibrary Loan services available to them at the Camas Public Library.

How much does Interlibrary Loan cost?

There is no charge to you for Interlibrary Loan service. However, while we always try to obtain materials for free, some lending libraries do charge a fee. Currently, FVRL will pay up to $10.00 of the lending fee, per transaction. If a lending fee exceeds $10.00, we will contact you before completing the request and you will have the option of paying the excess.

How many items can I request?

You may have a total of 10 “active” requests at one time. Active requests are those at any stage of the Interlibrary Loan process—requested, in process, checked out, in transit, etc.

Are some items unavailable or difficult to obtain?

Materials already owned by FVRL cannot be requested through Interlibrary Loan. Books published within the last year are generally purchased and added to the library's collection rather than borrowed on Interlibrary Loan. Textbooks and entire issues of magazines and journals are generally not available through Interlibrary Loan. Some non-book items like videos, CDs, DVD's and microfilm can be difficult to obtain. Some libraries, especially genealogical libraries, may be willing to photocopy portions of their materials, rather than lend them, if you can provide a specific description of what you need.

How long will it take?

Requests for most materials generally take two to three weeks. Genealogical requests can take longer.

What might delay an Interlibrary Loan?

Materials might already be checked out to another borrower at the lending library. Lending libraries might limit the number of items or reels of microfilm they will send at one time. Or, the information you give us about your request might be incomplete or incorrect, requiring additional verification.

Will there be restrictions on the materials?

Usually not, but we are obliged to honor whatever conditions a lending library places on its materials. Some libraries restrict their materials to in-library use only, some do not permit photocopying, and some do not allow renewals. Also, we may restrict materials to in-library use if you have given us only a post office box address and no street address.

How do I request an Interlibrary Loan?

All Interlibrary Loan requests are submitted through ILLIad. You can access ILLiad on library computers at any FVRL branch. Or you can visit our ILLiad website at http://illiad.fvrl.org/illiad/logon.html.

The first time you use ILLiad, you will be asked to register for your personal ILLiad account. You will need to provide your library card number — along with other basic information such as your name and address — in order to register. Staff can assist you in person at any library branch, or you can contact us by phone or by e-mail for information and assistance.

Once you have registered with ILLiad, you will enter your library card number and last name to logon to your ILLiad account.

What happens when my Interlibrary Loan material arrives?

If the item is for in-library use only, you will be notified by e-mail, or by regular mail or phone if you don't have an e-mail account. If the item can be taken home and you have asked to have it shipped, it will usually be shipped to you. There may be restrictions on shipping some items. For example, we ask that you pick up videos rather than having them shipped.

Materials will already be checked out to you when you get them. The due date and any special conditions will be stamped on a band attached to the front of the item. Leave this band on the item when you return it, as it ensures that the item will be properly cleared from your borrowing record.

Photocopies are usually mailed to you and are yours to keep.

How long is the loan period?

Loan periods are determined by the lending library. Most libraries allow three weeks' use, but some may allow as little as one week.

Can I renew the materials?

Renewals are also at the discretion of the lending library. If a renewal is allowed, it will be for a maximum of two weeks. Renewals must be requested on or just before the due date, and only one renewal can be requested for each item. Once an Interlibrary Loan item is overdue, it cannot be renewed.

What are my responsibilities once I have received the material?

You are responsible for returning the material on time and in the same condition in which you received it.

If an Interlibrary Loan item is overdue, no further Interlibrary Loan requests will be processed until the overdue item is returned.

If an Interlibrary Loan item is lost, all borrowing privileges at FVRL will be suspended until the item has been paid for. There is a minimum replacement fee of $40.00. This fee may be higher depending on the actual charges levied by the lending library. An Interlibrary Loan item will be declared lost when it is 45 days overdue.