Friday, April 26, 2024

Services

Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) allows San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) cardholders to request materials not owned by SAPL with some limitations. ILL is a free service for users with a valid library card in good standing.

Important: Please check the library catalog before requesting materials through Interlibrary Loan. Requests for items owned by San Antonio Public Library will be cancelled. Interlibrary Loan materials are limited to one three-week check-out period and may not be renewed.

Please note, we are unable to borrow:

  • Any items that are currently on hold for the owning Library’s users.
  • Any items that are currently checked out.
  • Any items that do not circulate or reside in any Special Collection.
  • Electronic resources including eBooks and eAudiobooks.
  • Entertainment media on DVD, Blu-ray, and music or video games on CD formats.

Requests for these items will be cancelled.

Materials are borrowed from libraries inside and outside of Texas, within the United States. It may take from 2 to 12 weeks to obtain the materials. You may make an ILL request in person at any location or by calling (210) 207-2500. See instructions below.

Instructions for requesting ILL materials using the Navigator-Texas Group catalog

Search WorldCat

Search for material in the Navigator-Texas Group Catalog using the default Basic Search or the Advanced Search. (If you need help searching, please contact us.)

A list of search results will appear. To narrow your search results, use the options on the left side.

When you have decided on a specific record, click on the title.

Reminder: Please check that San Antonio Public Library does not appear in the results list as owning the title. If it does, you may request the item from our catalog but not from Interlibrary Loan.

Click on the Request Item button.

Choose San Antonio Public Library from the resulting drop-down list. Note that you should check the "Keep me logged in" box unless you are on a public computer.

Click Continue and log in with your pin/password and library card number.

On the Request This Item screen, complete all required fields.

Select a pickup location.  You must select a pickup location for each requested item.  The pickup location will default to CENTRAL LIBRARY if none is selected.Select a pickup location.

You must include an e-mail address if you want to be notified about cancelled items.

Click Continue to submit your request.

Your ILL requests can be reviewed by logging in to My Requests once you are on the Texas Group page. This option is found under the top-left Texas Group Catalog link.

If you have questions about your request, contact the library using Ask MySAPL.