Inter-Library Loan is a great service that helps the Independence Public Library offer more resources to you.  We don't always have every title or topic that you are searching for, but we can offer access to these books or materials through another library in Iowa or in the United States.

Call (334-2470), e-mail, or stop in and talk to one of the library staff to use the inter-library loan service.  Here are some brief guidelines:

     .   Typically, it takes a week to ten days to acquire an item.

     .   There is a $1.00 charge per item when inter-library loan items are mailed to us.  The $1.00         
         charge helps to cover the costs of processing and postage.  If the item comes through van
         delivery through the local Area Education Agency (AEA), then there is no charge.

     .   You will usually be able to keep the item for 2 weeks, and somtimes it is also possible
         to extend the checkout period.

     .   Books that have been published in the last six months are typically not available through
         inter-library loan.

     .   If you would like to do some of your own searching for materials, make sure to check the 
         Independence Public Library's catalog first.  If we don't have an item, you can search by 
         going to the state's library's website, http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/, and by clicking on 
         Find Books in Iowa Libraries under For Iowans.  Print or write down the items you would like
         to receive, and we will do our best to get them for you.

     .   The user will pay for lost/damaged books according to the price given to us by the
         lending library.