Please note: due to a strike by Canada Post, InterLibrary Loan requests cannot be fulfilled at this time. Requests can be submitted, but will not be reviewed or processed until Canada Post service resumes. 

A new InterLibrary Loan (ILLO) platform has arrived! Please review the new instructions for setting up an account or requesting items through ILLO. 

If you are interested in an item that Ajax Public Library does not have, we can request to borrow it from another Ontario library on your behalf. InterLibrary Loans require an InterLibrary Loan account and a valid Ajax Public Library card. 

What is available through InterLibrary Loan?

  • Books, DVDs, audiobooks, music CDs, and microfilm formats;
  • Items that are more than one year past publication or release date;
  • Materials such as reference (not available for check out), video games, or digital content are not eligible for InterLibrary Loan. 
  • Items are only available for InterLibrary Loan at the discretion of the library that owns them.
  • You can only have 15 active InterLibrary Loan requests per Library card at a time. An active request is anything you have requested from another library or that you have received. Items that have been returned to the lending library or cancelled requests are not counted as active.

How do I make an InterLibrary Loan Request?

  1. Visit the InterLibrary Loan website and conduct a search. You can use the item’s title, author, or a combination of both.
  2. Select on an item to display the catalogue details. You can also narrow your search results by specific year, format, author, or subject using the options on the left sidebar. 
  3. When you locate the item you would like, click the Request link in blue text at the end of the item description.
  4. You will be prompted to sign into your ILLO account. If you do not have an ILLO account, you can create one. Your request will/not be submitted until your account has been reviewed/approved by the Library.
  5. After logging, the details of your request and contact information will appear on screen. On this screen, please enter your Ajax Public Library card number (no spaces) under Customer Contact Information. Your request will not be fulfilled without your Library card barcode. 
  6. Click the Submit Request button at the bottom to complete your request for that item. 
  7. You will receive a confirmation on screen and receive a copy via email. 

How can I track my ILLO requests?

  • View the status of your ILLO requests by selecting My Account when logged into your ILLO account. ILLO requests will not appear in your Ajax Public Library account until you have checked them out.   
  • Requests will show as processed, shipped, or received. 
  • Requests may be cancelled if the item can be found at Ajax Public Library, or the loaning Library is unable to send the item. Please do not resubmit requests that have been cancelled. Please contact us to find alternative ways to get the material you are interested in.

How will I be notified my item is available?

  • You will be notified your item is available for pick-up via your usual preferred communication method: telephone, email, or text. 
  • Items not picked-up within five (5) days will be returned to the loaning library. 

Additional InterLibrary Loan Information

  • Items may take several weeks to arrive from the owning library. We cannot provide estimated arrival times. If you have a deadline for receiving the material, please indicate this under special instructions when you submit your request, although we may not be able to meet timelines under two (2) weeks.
  • If you may be unavailable to pick-up your InterLibrary Loan when it arrives, please notify us so you can request an extended loan period in case the material arrives during your absence.
  • Due dates are determined by the owning library. 

Create an InterLibrary Loan Account

  1. Visit the InterLibrary Loan website and complete the required fields. Creating an ILLO account requires having a valid email address. Please make note of your username and password for future use. 
  2. Newly created ILLO accounts must be reviewed and approved by the Library before ILLO requests can be made. This can take up to two to three (2-3) business days. 

Questions about InterLibrary Loan? 

Contact us via phone 905-683-4000 ext. 8840 or email.