Interlibrary Loan

1.  Interlibrary loan (ILL) is used to obtain from other libraries those materials that are beyond the scope of our collection.

2.  There is no charge for this service.  Materials borrowed from other libraries can only be sent for the loan period specified by the lending library. Books published within the last year may not eligible for interlibrary loan. Those books will be considered for purchase by the library's selectors. Interlibrary loan privileges may be suspended if: a patron habitually requests titles and does not pick them up; materials are misused; or materials are returned late. 

3. Interlibrary loan for Bookclubs:  The Library will request multiple copies of books from other libraries in order to provide bookclubs with the number of copies they need.  Multiple copies of books are available to bookclubs if: the books are at least 1 year old, and the books are not current bestsellers. Occasionally, due to circumstances beyond our control, the Library is unable to fill a request. If this occurs, the Library staff will work with the bookclub to try to find an alternate title. Only book club members with a Kothe Memorial Library card may check out books through this program, due to interlibrary loan rules.  Some multiple copy bookclub sets are available from Iowa libraries and include discussion questions. Bookclubs are encouraged to choose titles that are included in the Multiple Copies List. The list is available here: http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/kp/multiple-copies. Bookclubs should designate a contact person for the bookclub, who will contact the Library with the titles and dates of the book discussions. ILL requests should be made at least 6 weeks before the bookclub meeting. With sufficient advance notice, the Library will order the books so that they will be available approximately 3 to 4 weeks prior to the bookclub meeting.  Bookclub members are responsible for returning the books on time, renewing items, or paying fines imposed by borrowing library if a book is damaged or lost.