Inter Library Loans is a service that obtains material not held by the Ryde Library Services. The items are obtained from other Australian libraries, mainly Public Libraries, though University, Special, and State Libraries can be approached. Items that can be obtained include book, articles, videos, films, audio cassettes, and community language material. Requests for other material types need to have the agreement of the Inter Library Loans Officer.

Before requesting an Inter Library Loan please check our Catalogue to make sure we don't already have the item you require. Library membership is needed prior to placing your request. To request an Inter Library Loan please contact staff, in person or by phone.

When an Inter Library Loan request is received we:

• verify the details - author's name, title, publisher, date of publication - for each item. If the item was published in the last 12 months Ryde Library Services may decide to purchase it.
• identify which Australian libraries hold copies of the item, using the National Library database - Libraries Australia - and other Libraries catalogues. We first try and identify public libraries that may hold the item, as generally, they do not charge other public libraries for the loan of the item; whereas University, Special, and other State libraries do charge. All charges are passed on to you.
• once the relevant information has been entered on our database we request the item from the most appropriate library via e-mail, fax, or phone. Delivery times vary depending on the availability of the item at the library approached, the type of material requested, or where it is coming from. ONLY ONE LIBRARY receives the request at a time. Rare, specialised, older items, difficult to find material, and high demand items can take longer to obtain.
• on receipt of the item it is processed ready for you to borrow it. When the item is available for collection notification is by mail or e-mail.

Charging for an Inter Library Loan
In general, Public Libraries do not charge other public libraries for the loan of the item; whereas University, Special, and other State libraries do charge. All charges incurred in obtaining an item on Inter Library Loan are passed on to you.
Charges for supply from University, Special Libraries and other State Libraries are set out in the Australian Interlibrary Resource Sharing (ILRS) Code.