Frequently Asked Questions

There is no definite answer to this question. ILLs generally take 2 to 6 weeks to arrive. However, they may arrive sooner or later. If the material you need is time sensitive, Interlibrary Loan may not be the best option.

The loan period is determined by the lending library. Typical due dates range from one week to two months. Renewals can be requested for most materials. (See the next section for information on how to renew your ILL.)

A lending library can request the immediate return of its material at any time.

Please request a renewal 3 days before your due date.

Renewals are not guaranteed. We do not know if a renewal will be granted or denied until after it is requested. Be prepared to return the item on short notice. ILL items cannot be renewed from your online account. To renew, do one of the following:

• Submit a request to renew online
• Email the ILL Staff
• Ask a staff member in the library

• Check your account online. A request with the status Received is available for pickup.
• Email the ILL Staff
• Call the ILL office: 503-992-279

You can borrow books, DVDs, Blu-rays, VHS tapes, CDs, microfilm, musical scores, vinyl and newspaper or journal articles. We cannot borrow console video games (Wii, PlayStation, Xbox, etc.).

It is also not possible to borrow items owned by WCCLS unless the item is in in-repair, lost, missing, unavailable or withdrawn status for two or more weeks.

It is not possible to borrow items published within the last six months. However, you can submit a Purchase Suggestion instead.

There is a county wide limit of 5 active ILL requests. Requests in returned or received status do not count toward the limit.

Your account must be in good standing to request an item by ILL (fines under $19.99, no long overdue items).

It is not possible to borrow items published within the last six months. However, you can submit a Purchase Suggestion instead.

If the request shows as “active” on your account there is a good chance the item is already in-transit to our library. For this reason, we ask that you be sure you want the requested item and can allow 2 to 6 weeks for its arrival.

If you must cancel a request, please contact the ILL office by phone (503) 992-3279 or by email. Please do not cancel requests on your online account.

Hold requests are manually added to accounts by staff. At most it will take one week for the hold request to show on your account.

Please return items only to the library from which they were borrowed. 

Adding notes or comments regarding your request can get you what you want, sooner. Some helpful information includes whether you are looking for a specific edition, or if any edition will work. If you are requesting genealogy material add the names and dates of the entries in which you are interested. For article requests from magazines or journals provide a citation as complete as possible.

Interlibrary Loan relies on the generosity of lending libraries. Returning or requesting renewals by the due date is therefore essential. If an ILL is overdue, $100.01 will be charged to the borrower’s account. If the item is returned promptly in the same condition in which it was checked out, the charge can be waived. If the item is not returned, the borrower is responsible for paying replacement and processing fees charged by the lender. This may be less or more than the $100.01 placeholder fee.