Request an item – inter-library loans

If you are looking for a book that is not available on the Lancashire Library catalogue, we may purchase a copy for our collection or we may be able to obtain a copy from another library authority for you to borrow. From 1 April 2024 there will be a charge of £5 for items obtained by inter-library loan from another library authority. For items reserved from our collection there is a standard reservation charge. 

Reservation and/or hire charges may be payable on items requested. British Library loans may incur a charge of £18.85 - if this applies you will be contacted before we proceed with your request.

We may also be able to obtain journal articles and there may be a charge for these requests.

New system

We are now part of a new national system for inter-library loans that will hopefully speed up your requests. Please use the request an item form for an item that is not currently in our stock.

The form will ask if you are willing to pay for your reservation and the two cost options. If you are unwilling to pay please do not submit a request. Exemptions will apply to the standard 85p reservation charge but not to the £5 inter-library loan.

First time use

The first time you go to make a request on the new system you will need to create an account to manage your request. Then you just need to log in.

When you open the 'request an item' form you will see a 'sign in' screen, but next to that there is another tab called 'create an account'. The first time you use the form you will need to click or tap on 'create an account'.

Complete the 'create an account' form giving your name, library card number and email address and then create your own password following the instructions.

Once you have completed this and clicked create, the form will disappear, and you'll be returned to the sign in screen where you can use your newly created username and password to login and start making requests.

There are two tabs on the request form, one for journal articles and one for books. The request screen opens on the Journal article tab, please use the book tab for all book requests.

Please note

Please only use this form to request items which are not available in the Lancashire Library catalogue

Please sign out each time you leave the request form page to avoid error messages the next time you log in.

We do our best to supply items but cannot guarantee to obtain everything that is requested. We're unable to borrow audio-visual items for specific requests, except some spoken word for visually impaired customers.

Reservation and/or hire charges may be payable on items requested. British Library loans may incur a charge of £18.85 - if this applies you will be contacted before we proceed with your request. There may also be a charge for journal articles.