Interlibrary Loan

All residents of Mason City with a current Mason City Public Library card in good standing may request books from other libraries if the MCPL does not own the item.  The copyright on the book must be over one year old to borrow from another library within the state of Iowa.

ILL FAQ

How do I request a book through interlibrary loan?

Patrons may fill out an interlibrary loan form at the Information Desk or call 641.421.3668 to inquire if an item is available.

Is there a fee?

At this time there is a $3.00 charge (for each item) for shipping and handling.

How long can I keep the interlibrary loan book?

It depends on the library that loans the book.  When you pick up the item, there will be a card that says when the book is due.  It is usually around a month, but depends entirely on the lending library.

Are there any consequences for not picking up an item?

The only consequence for not picking up an item is that you are still responsible for paying the fee.

What else should I know about interlibrary loan?

Patrons may request up to 4 items at a time.  Some libraries might not be willing to lend DVDs, VHS, or CDs, but library staff will determine if a library is willing to lend the items at the time of the request.

We will attempt to borrow items through interlibrary loan from outside the state if they are unavailable in Iowa.  Patrons pay the entire cost of postage required to receive each item.