Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Accessing materials from Other Libraries wiht Your Houston Public Library Card
With your Houston Public Library (HPL) card, you have access to materials beyond the library’s collection. You can search for books and other items held by libraries across Texas using the SHAREit website. This service, known as Interlibrary Loan (ILL), allows you to borrow materials not available directly through HPL.
Here’s how to access materials from other libraries:
- Get a MYLink card – Ensure your HPL card is active and in good standing.
- Search for books on SHAREit – Use SHAREit to locate the item you need.
Meaningful Information Regarding Interlibrary Loan:
* Eligibility: To request and receive ILL materials, you must have a current Houston Public Library card in good standing.
* Request Limit: You may have a maximum of five (5) active ILL requests at any given time, including pending requests and items currently checked out.
* Hold Limit: ILL requests will count towards your total of 30 holds on Houston Public Library materials. If you already have 30 holds, your ILL request cannot be processed until you clear a hold.
* Delivery time: ILL materials may take two to six weeks to arrive.
* Loan Period: The check-out period for ILL materials is three (3) weeks,and items cannot be renewed.
* Fees & Billing: Late fees will be waived for ILL items once the item is returned. However, damaged or lost ILL items will be billed to you at the cost persistent by the lending library.
* Duplicate Holdings: Requests for items already owned by the Houston Public Library will be canceled, even if those items are currently available for library-use only.
* Checkout Procedure: ILL materials must be checked out using your Houston Public Library card.
* Questions: If you have any questions about your ILL request,please contact the ILL department at 832-393-1447.