Interlibrary Loan FAQ/Policies What is Interlibrary Loan? Interlibrary Loan is a service that provides access to library resources from other libraries throughout the state and across the nation. Who may request an Interlibrary Loan? Sarasota County residents with a valid Sarasota County library card. Patrons who have purchased a non-resident card. Who may not request an Interlibrary Loan? Patrons from outside Sarasota County who have a reciprocal borrowing card cannot submit requests for Interlibrary Loan at a Sarasota County public library. Reciprocal borrowers should ask about the Interlibrary Loan service at their home county library. What can be requested through Interlibrary Loan? Library materials not owned by Sarasota County. For example: Books, Large Print Books, Foreign Language Materials Videos, CDs, DVDs, Books on CD Photocopies of Magazine Articles Musical Scores What cannot be requested through Interlibrary Loan? Items owned by the Sarasota County Library System Items published within the last 12 months E-Books and Downloadable Audiobooks Video Games Reference Materials Kits, Loose-Leaf Materials and Pop-Up Books Certain Genealogical Materials Entire Issues of Magazines How do I request an Interlibrary Loan? You can locate a book that is not in SUNCAT (the library catalog) using the Florida Group Catalog. You will need your Sarasota County Library card number for access. Once you are logged in, consider creating an account to track your Interlibrary Loan requests. Please complete all requested fields on the online Interlibrary Loan forms. Click finished when you are done, and also click clear if you are on a library public computer. See an example of how to initiate a request below:   What should I do if I cannot locate the item I want to request? Switch the database from FloridaCat to WorldCat to broaden your search. (See below.)    Contact your library or email libraryinfo@scgov.net. How long does it take to receive an Interlibrary Loan? While it can take anywhere from two to eight weeks to receive materials, the average turnaround time is two to three weeks from the date of submission. You will receive notification if the item cannot be located. How many materials may I borrow through Interlibrary Loan? Please limit yourself to three requests at one time. How long will I have to use this material? Loan periods are generally three weeks. Loan periods are determined by the lending library. May I renew an Interlibrary Loan? Most items are not renewable. To check if an item is renewable, contact your local library. How much will it cost? In most cases there is no charge for Interlibrary Loan materials. However, some lending libraries may charge for their material. Please indicate the maximum amount you are willing to pay to borrow the requested item. If there is a charge, we will contact you with the amount before placing the request. How will I be notified when my request arrives? The library that receives the material will contact you by phone or email, depending on your preference. Where do I return materials? Materials can be returned at any of the eight Sarasota County libraries. Are materials loaned from one Sarasota County library to another considered Interlibrary Loan? No. All materials owned by the Sarasota County Library System are loaned through regular holds procedures. Please be sure that none of the eight Sarasota County libraries owns an item before making an Interlibrary Loan request. (If you need assistance requesting an item owned by the Sarasota County Library System, please contact Library Information at 941-861-1110 or libraryinfo@scgov.net.*) Who can I contact if I have questions? Please contact Library Information at 941-861-1110 or libraryinfo@scgov.net.* *Important Notice Regarding privacy and e-mail.SB 80- effective July 1, 2006 Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead contact this office by phone or in writing.