There is a code in the Interlibrary Loan world that if you can borrow, you should also lend. Thanks to a brilliant network of libraries powered by dedicated staff, Portland Public Library is able to perform this dual service. We believe that everyone should have free access to resources, and, if we can locate it, we do our best to get it into your hands! If this sounds magical, it is!
Simply put, Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is the process by which a library requests material from, or supplies material to, another library. This means a library user of one library can make a request at their home library to borrow books, documents, DVDs, music, maps, and a range of other materials that are owned by another library. 
“I am a big fan of Portland Public Library, especially your Inter-Library Loan. The ILL is an incredible service that allowed me to request and read, according to my borrowing history, almost 200 books in my native language over the last years. My life wouldn’t have been the same without this opportunity. It changed my life.” – DOLGORMAA H, House of Languages (2022 Maine Award for Minority-owned Small Business)
PPL’s ILL Team works behind the scenes performing this Library Magic for patrons every day, and, although they do not work directly with the public, their work builds communities and changes lives.
ILL CONNECTS THE WORLD
Although she never sees the patrons she serves, ILL Supervisor Allie manages and meets their requests: her day consists of reaching out and requesting materials from all over the world for patrons and locating and sending out materials for other libraries’ patrons. This work bridges libraries from around the world, connecting and strengthening our library communities around the globe!
“I’ve built some great relationships with other library workers, and I don’t know of many other jobs where you can connect or commiserate with someone at Yale on the same day you troubleshoot with a university in Germany! It’s a joy to locate and request items on behalf of our patrons.” – ALLIE
Totes at the PPL ILL office filled with material requests are ready to be shipped out and into the hands of patrons all over the globe.
WE GOT YOU, LOCAL LIBRARIES
Libraries take care of each other to provide patrons with the best service possible no matter what library they use. PPL’s ILL works alongside other Maine libraries throughout Cumberland and York counties to find materials for their patrons, too. In some of our smaller surrounding library systems, where busy staff wear multiple hats— working reference, circulation, children’s and everything in between – PPL serves as back-up and support to those libraries to help with ILL transactions.
LIBRARY LOAN ROAD WARRIORS
Many of our patrons use MaineCat – our statewide CATalog – for the system’s quick-turnaround. We can thank a van delivery system for this speedy service! There are schedules and routes that potentially can deliver an item requested from Bangor on Monday and have it in the ILL office on Wednesday…again, at no cost to the patron!
ILL REQUESTS INFORM POPULAR TOPICS & TRENDS
“I think it’s fun to see what kind of graphic novels and manga people are always requesting as I am a big fan of both, and this way I can get some recommendations!” – JELENA
A BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM THAT’S ALWAYS CHANGING
At the core, Public Library collections are diverse, ever-changing, and deserve to be shared!
My favorite part of the ILL process is seeing how we differ from other libraries’ collections. It’s always gratifying when we can supply an item to major institutions such as Harvard or RISD or Berkeley. It’s equally as interesting when a PPL patron is seeking something, and it’s only available in Alaska. Libraries are always purchasing (or weeding) materials requiring us to be diligent and determined in our searching and our requests.” – ALLIE
ACCESS TO A RESOURCE CAN CHANGE A LIFE
“Recently a bumper crop of films came in. A patron had requested them to watch with his wife who is undergoing cancer treatments. It’s such a sweet story and a reminder that our work has an impact on the lives of people. Having free access to resources is a vital and valuable service to our community.” – GAIL
THE DETAILS
Interlibrary Loan is just one example of how dynamic and far-reaching public library services actually are! So, if you think you can’t listen to an original recording of your favorite artist or get your hands on a copy of your 1965 high school yearbook, remember, there is a team of people
working behind the scenes that just may find a way to get those materials to you and it will feel like magic!
Special thank you to the Portland Public Library ILL Team – Allie, Jelena, Gail, and Eileen for their dedication to this special library service.
posted: , by
Heather Wasklewicz
tags: Adults | Teens | Homework Help | Parents & Teachers | Kids & Families | Early Literacy | Seniors | News
