Request Items From Other Libraries: InterLibrary Loan

As a full member of the Metropolitan Library System (MLS) the Lansing Public Library cooperates with the other libraries in the area, allowing us to borrow items from other libraries to fulfill your requests.

Reference staff will be happy to order the items you wish to borrow from another library.

How does this work?

Items will be delivered to Lansing Public Library.
You will be notified by phone when the item is available for pickup.
Requested items can only be checked out by the requesting borrower.
Standard overdue fees apply.
Patrons return items to Lansing Public Library and we arrange for it to return to the owning library.

Requesting Items in SWAN

Lansing cardholders cannot place their own requests in SWAN. Reference Staff will be happy to assist you! Contact the Reference Desk (in person, by phone (708) 474-2447 ext. 109, email or Instant Message) We will need your name, phone number, library card barcode, and information about the item: author, title, ISBN and format (book, large print book, audiobook cassette, audiobook CD, DVD, etc.)
You will be contacted by phone when the item has arrived. Requested items can only be checked out by the requesting borrower.

Requesting Items in I-Share

You cannot place your own requests in I-Share. Reference Staff will be happy to assist you! Contact the Reference Desk (in person, by phone (708) 474-2447 ext. 109, email or Instant Message) We will need your name, phone number, library card barcode, and information about the item: author, title, ISBN and format (book, large print book, audiobook cassette, audiobook CD, DVD, etc.)
You will be contacted by phone when the item has arrived. Requested items can only be checked out by the requesting borrower.

Requesting Items in WorldCat

You can place your own requests in WorldCat! When you find an item you would like to request, click the "request item" button. A request form will prompt you for your patron information.
You will be contacted by phone when the item has arrived. Requested items can only be checked out by the requesting borrower.
Cost: We make every effort to find the lowest cost source for materials. We do not charge as long as we can borrow the item within the state of Illinois for free. Some colleges charge for loans. You will be contacted if your item will incur a fee. If we have to borrow an item from a library outside of Illinois, you will be charged $5.00. This fee applies even if you do not pick-up the requested item.
Note: users must have a valid Lansing Library Card in our database to use this resource. Our contract with OCLC does not allow us to grant access to users from other towns.