Interlibrary Loan is a special service for requesting materials not found in your library system.
Fill out the ILL request form if you want staff to look for an item outside of Bridges Library System.
✔ Tip: Placing an Interlibrary Loan request is different than placing a hold. If you see an item that you would like to borrow in the Catalog, you may place a hold on the item and have it sent to the library of your choice.
Requests
Please be aware of the following when making ILL requests:
- JPL uses the Wisconsin material-sharing platform called WISCAT for ILL requests. Staff search WISCAT and make requests on behalf of patrons as requests come in. A request being fulfilled is dependent on availability and a library accepting to fulfill the request.
- Requests can take several weeks to arrive. Please consider the time it takes to request an item, its delivery from the owning library to JPL, and the time for staff to prepare it for loan. Staff cannot fulfill a request if it has a deadline.
- Staff will contact you within 7 business days of your request if it is not available in WISCAT.
Loan Information
- You will be notified by your preferred notification method when staff finish preparing the item for loan.
- The loan period is 21 days (3 weeks).
- ILL items have a $0.50/per day overdue fine.
- Renewals are subject to the owning library. Please allow 5-7 business days for staff to make the request and hear back from the owning library.
What kind of materials can be borrowed through ILL?
Some libraries limit what they will loan. Staff will do their best to fulfill your request. The following materials are acceptable:
- Books – regular print, large print, and/or audiobook
- Movies
- Journal Articles
What kind of materials cannot be borrowed?
- Items published or released within the last 6 months.
- Reference books, rare books, or aged items.
- Genealogical materials. For more about genealogical research, please refer to Genealogical Resources at the Jefferson Public Library or Wisconsin Historical Society Library.
- eBooks and electronic journals.
Will my library account show status updates on my ILL request?
Status updates are not available for ILL requests. Staff will let you know if a request cannot be made when it is determined an item is not available in WISCAT.
If an item is determined to be available in WISCAT, staff will make the request, and you will receive a notification via your preferred method when it has arrived and is ready for loan.
How long does it take to get materials through ILL?
There is no precise arrival time for an ILL item. Items can take several weeks to arrive at JPL from the time a library accepts to fulfill a request.
What if I no longer need an item I requested?
Call the library at (920) 674-7733 or email information@jeffersonwilibrary.org.
How long may I keep ILL items for use?
The loan period is 21 days (3 weeks) for ILL items.
Are renewals allowed on ILL items?
There is no guarantee an ILL item can be renewed. It is up to the owning library to accept or deny a renewal request. Please allow 5-7 business days for staff to make the request and hear back from the owning library.
Why was my request unfulfilled?
There is no guarantee that staff can fulfill a request. Here are some reasons why:
- The item is in use at the owning library.
- The item may be lost, missing, damaged, or no longer owned.
- The item is not found in WISCAT.
- The item is too new (must be 6 months or older).