Spokane Public Library can request materials from or supply materials to libraries outside of our library system. The library provides interlibrary loan service to enhance and extend the resources available. Because the library cannot purchase or subscribe to every useful resource, interlibrary loan is an essential way that we can meet the needs of the community.
Interlibrary loan service is available to library card holders who live within the city limits of Spokane and business library card holders who own businesses within the city limits of Spokane. Non-resident cardholders should contact their home library system for interlibrary loan service.
Through an interlibrary loan, you may borrow books and audiobooks that were published more than 6 months ago, CDs (over 2 years past release date) and DVDs (over 10 years past release date), copies of journals and magazine articles or genealogical information, microfilm or microfiche of newspapers, theses, or dissertations. The owning library will make the decision as to whether or not they will lend the material. Customers may only request the same title twice per calendar year.
Items not available for interlibrary loan include: videos, music cassettes, downloadable audiobooks, downloadable ebooks, software, genealogy books (though we can request specific copies from genealogy items), books already owned by Spokane Public Library
Contact us to request an interlibrary loan. Only four items can be in process at a time. This includes items that could only be used in the library and microfilm. For each item that has been returned, another item can be requested. Microfilm requests must be for a reasonable date range in order to be processed. Because interlibrary loan items are borrowed from across the United States and Canada, it can take 4-8 weeks to receive an item.
Customers are not expected to pay for interlibrary loans. Spokane Public Library requests items only from free lenders. We do not charge for photocopies we receive through interlibrary loan. Customers will be responsible for paying for any requests that require prepayment, such as for genealogy microfilm.
You can pick up most items at any open Spokane Public Library location. Books and audiobooks are sent to the location specified on the request. “In library use only” books can be viewed at your local branch. Photocopy requests are mailed to the address on the library card. Microfilm or fiche can only be viewed at the Central Library (currently unavailable).
Spokane Public Library’s interlibrary loan service reciprocates by loaning our items to other library systems. We will loan the following: books that are no longer considered new, audiobooks on CD, some reference books to be used in the library only.
We do not lend Genealogy items, Inland Northwest Special Collections Items, DVDs, music CDs, electronic items, or microfilm.