If for whatever reason we do not have an item you need, such as a book or video, you may attempt to request it from another lending institution. Our Reference Department will assist you in locating materials and initiating interlibrary loans.

For successfully placed loans there is a $.35 notification fee which is payable when you borrow the request item after it arrives at the library. You will be informed of an item's arrival by postcard.

If you have an e-mail account, you may instead register for e-mail alerts to receive electronic messages when an item arrives. If you do so, you will not be charged $.35.

Requests may be done in person at the library or via our website through the library catalog. This requires a Java-enabled web browser, such as Netscape or Explorer.

To attempt to initiate an ILL via the web, first locate an item owned by another library using the library catalog then click the Place Hold button. If an item can be ILL'd you will next be prompted to enter your library card number and PIN (the last four digits of your telephone number).

You may cancel a hold at any time either by notifying the Interlibrary Loan Department at the library (341-5463) or by cancelling your request over the web using the library catalog. To cancel via the web, enter the library catalog, click on Patron Information, enter your card number and PIN, then click on Holds. Highlight the requested item you want to cancel, then click Cancel Hold. You will not be charged for cancelled holds.

Items borrowed from any library within the Ramapo Catskill Library System may be returned at any of its member libraries. Items obtained by us for your use from outside RCLS must be returned to this library.

You may attempt to renew an item by bringing the item to the library and requesting a renewal or calling the library at 341-5454. Renewals may also be attempted via our website through the library catalog by clicking Patron Information, entering your library card number and PIN, then clicking Items Out. Select the item you wish to renew and click Renew. If an item cannot be renewed you must return it immediately to avoid overdue fines. Renewals cannot be done by telephone or through our website (via the library catalog) once they have become overdue.

Interlibrary loan requests are not only limited to books. If you identify a computer CD-ROM, music CD, DVD, videotape, audio book or an item in another format elsewhere in the library system, you may attempt to request it. Each library in the Ramapo Catskill Library System maintains its own interlibrary loan policy, which also governs what does and does not go out to other libraries. Reference materials generally cannot be requested.

If you have adequate transportation and absolutely need an item available only at another library, your ANSER card is valid everywhere in the Ramapo Catskill Library System. Provided the item is available for borrowing (that is a "circulating" and not a "reference" item) at the other library, you may borrow it directly there. Our librarians may help by contacting another library in advance to ensure the item is there and able to be borrowed from that location.

For all other questions involving locating materials at the library or within the library system please come to the library of contact the Reference Department at 341-5461. You may also ask our librarians questions online by clicking here.