Through our Interlibrary Loan services, we can borrow a book or item from another library system if Montgomery County Public Libraries does not own it. We can borrow materials from libraries in the state of MD or libraries all over the U.S.

How to request a book or item owned by Montgomery County Public Libraries.

Frequently Asked Questions about Interlibrary Loan

Contact Us

Make sure you have this information handy when making your request online:

• Your library card number
• Title or other information about the item you want
• Your email address
• Your daytime telephone number

If you are unable to place your request online, please fill out an Interlibrary Loan request card available at the Information Desk at your branch library.

Marina

Marina searches the catalogs of all of the public libraries in MD. Your request will go directly to another MD public library.

When to use Marina:

Search Marina after you have first checked the MCPL catalog to ensure that the item is not owned by MCPL.

Printable Instructions On How To Use Marina

Materials that may not be requested:

• Materials owned by MCPL
• Books currently on order at MCPL
• Books on bestseller lists
• Heavily reserved books of the current year
• Books that have not yet been published
• Most reference materials
• Books in heavy classroom demand at local colleges and universities
• Multiple requests for a single title
• Photocopies over 50 pages
• U.S. Census microfilm
• Magazines (for specific articles, use our online databases first, and then try an OCLC request if unsuccessful)

Search Marina

OCLC

OCLC is a huge database that we can use to search university libraries in MD, in addition to public, special, and university libraries around the U.S.

When to use OCLC

Complete an OCLC request form after you have tried your search in MCPL's catalog and MARINA.

Search OCLC WorldCat

You can request books, music scores, books on tape or CD, microfilm, magazine and journal articles, dissertations, musical recordings, software, DVD’s and videos. We will try to find any of these for you. Be aware, however, that few libraries will loan audiovisual formats or whole magazines.

Requests are processed in order of receipt in the Interlibrary Loan Office.  

It may take up to 12 weeks to fill an Interlibrary Loan request.

• Loan periods vary by lending library—pick up and return your ILL materials quickly.
• ILL materials cannot be renewed online. Many cannot be renewed at all.
• Microforms may only be sent to & used at Rockville Library.

Materials That May Not Be Requested

• Materials owned by MCPL
• Materials available through MARINA
• Books currently on order at MCPL
• Books on bestseller lists
• Heavily reserved books of the current year
• Books that have not yet been published
• Most reference materials
• Books in heavy classroom demand at local colleges and universities
• Multiple requests for a single title
• Photocopies over 50 pages
• U.S. Census microfilm

Fill out an OCLC request form.

Contact ILL

Interlibrary Loan can be reached at 240-777-0046.

Messages are checked twice daily, Monday through Friday, and you will receive a response within one business day. If you are calling to request a renewal or to inquire about overdue items, please leave your name, card number, telephone number, the title of the item and the InterLibrary Loan item number from the front of the white band. 

Please note that most overdue issues can be resolved more rapidly by contacting your local library branch. 

We regret that we are unable to respond to requests left on this phone line for items you wish to borrow. Please contact your local branch for this service.