Interlibrary loan is a borrowing and lending program used between library systems to share materials that are not owned by every library.

Patrons of the Lee County Library System (LCLS) can request materials not owned by LCLS through Interlibrary Loan. In return, the library system lends LCLS materials to other libraries and their patrons.

LCLS follows policies, procedures and protocols established by the American Library Association (ALA), FLIN (Florida Library Information Network) and OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) to govern requesting and supplying through interlibrary loan.

Anyone who has a current Lee County Library card and is in good standing (for example, no excessive fines or unpaid ILL charges, no overdue ILL material) can use the service.

Reciprocal borrowing card holders should ask about ILL services in their home libraries.  Patrons from outside the LCLS system who have a SWFLN (Southwest Florida Library Network) reciprocal borrowing card cannot use ILL in Lee County.

Before placing a request through ILL, check the library’s online catalog. If LCLS owns the item, please click “request item” to place a hold on it.

If you do not find what you need in the LCLS catalog:

• For books search WorldCat.  We do not request audio/visual material through WorldCat.
• For articles search ArticleFirst.
  

You can also submit requests in your local branch at the reference desk or by calling Telephone Reference (239) 479-4636.

You may have three active requests at a time, including photocopy requests.

Through our participation in resource-sharing networks, we can obtain most materials free of charge. However, some materials can only be found in lending libraries that charge a fee to borrow or photocopy materials.

When you make a request you will be asked if you are willing to pay. If your answer is $0, we will only look for free lenders. Materials that require a borrowing fee are not requested until we receive confirmation that you agree to the charge. Payment will be required for these items upon pick up or use at the library.

Once requested, you will be responsible for the charge even if you do not pick up the item when it arrives.

All ILL material must be returned on time. Fines for overdue material will be $.20 per day.

It normally takes between 4 and 8 weeks to either obtain the material or exhaust all avenues for obtaining the material. The time it takes depends on availability of the material, the location of the library that owns the material, and the type of delivery.

ILL material is checked out for 2 weeks.

You can request books, microforms and copies of articles. If we only own a book in ebook format, we will request a print copy for you. We will also request large print copies of books we do not own in that format. 

The best place to start genealogical research is at the Fort Myers Regional Library, where there are many resources available.

You can request genealogy material through Interlibrary Loan. However, most public libraries do not circulate their genealogy items.

If you can provide specific book or record citations, we can request photocopies from libraries that have the item in their collection.

Some genealogy material is available only in microfiche or microfilm format. There are microform reader/printer machines at our Cape Coral and Fort Myers locations. If the material is available in microform format, you will need to use it at one of these locations.

More on Interlibrary Loan and Genealogical Research.pdf

For general Questions: Contact your local branch OR Call 239-479-4636 (INFO)

For existing requests: Contact your local branch