Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) provides access to articles, books, microfilm, or other materials that are not available at the Bonham Public Library. Because we are getting material from another library, materials may take 2 weeks or more to arrive, depending on availability. Lending period is at the discretion of the lending library.
Please remember that these materials do not belong to the Bonham Public Library.
Any damage (water, smoke, tears or etc.) may occur a cost for the patron.
Please remember that these materials do not belong to the Bonham Public Library.
Any damage (water, smoke, tears or etc.) may occur a cost for the patron.
How do I request materials?
You must have a card in good standing with the Bonham Public Library before requesting items. You may request items in person, by phone, or through the request form below:
You must have a card in good standing with the Bonham Public Library before requesting items. You may request items in person, by phone, or through the request form below:
Interlibrary Loans
If you need a journal article, book or other loanable material that the Bonham Public Library System does not own, the Library's Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service will attempt to get it for you. You may request or have active two items at any one time.
Tips on Using the Interlibrary Loan Form
If you need a journal article, book or other loanable material that the Bonham Public Library System does not own, the Library's Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service will attempt to get it for you. You may request or have active two items at any one time.
Tips on Using the Interlibrary Loan Form
- When searching for an item, you will see a list of libraries owning the item. This is information for you to consult, you do not need to pick one of these libraries. The ILL system will make the choice based on availability.
- If the Bonham Public Library owns the desired item, you cannot request it through Interlibrary Loan, but you can search the library catalog and place a hold there.
- Under "Choose a Library," pick Bonham Public Library.
- If you do not have an email address, type "none." The preferred method of contact is email. However, if you do not have an email address, staff will contact you by the phone number you provide us.
Please check the library's catalog before requesting an item. You may reserve (place a hold request) on items that we own but are currently not available due to being checked out, in mending, or on order.
How much does it cost?
Interlibrary loans require a payment of $2.00 when the loan arrives. This defrays the cost of postage to return the item to the library of origin.
Failure to pick up an item will result in a $2.50 handling charge.
What (possibly) isn't available via Interlibrary Loans?
How long can I keep materials?
The loan length varies from library to library, but in general, most libraries offer a loan period of at least three weeks. Please be aware that libraries will not renew interlibrary loans. If you need an item before a specific date, please let us know. If an item cannot be filled by that time, we can attempt to cancel the request.
Where is my item coming from?
We request our items via the Texas Group Catalog (TGC). Loans are filled by public and academic libraries, but we cannot request items from a specific library, such as Sherman or Denison; it is an automated system which selects the best source available.
How many items can I request?
Lease limit your requests to 2 at a time, as ILL's are time and labor intensive for staff. Please note this does not mean having two ILL items checked out and requesting two more, but two items total. For example, if you have two ILL items out and return one, you can only request one more, not two.
Revised January 22, 2021
How much does it cost?
Interlibrary loans require a payment of $2.00 when the loan arrives. This defrays the cost of postage to return the item to the library of origin.
Failure to pick up an item will result in a $2.50 handling charge.
What (possibly) isn't available via Interlibrary Loans?
- Items less than 1 year old.
- Items in Special Collections and reference books
- Most genealogical materials
- Limited availability of microfilm and audio/video materials
- Telephone directories
- Complete issues of periodicals or newspapers
- Some books from small publishers or "vanity press" publishers may not be available.
How long can I keep materials?
The loan length varies from library to library, but in general, most libraries offer a loan period of at least three weeks. Please be aware that libraries will not renew interlibrary loans. If you need an item before a specific date, please let us know. If an item cannot be filled by that time, we can attempt to cancel the request.
Where is my item coming from?
We request our items via the Texas Group Catalog (TGC). Loans are filled by public and academic libraries, but we cannot request items from a specific library, such as Sherman or Denison; it is an automated system which selects the best source available.
How many items can I request?
Lease limit your requests to 2 at a time, as ILL's are time and labor intensive for staff. Please note this does not mean having two ILL items checked out and requesting two more, but two items total. For example, if you have two ILL items out and return one, you can only request one more, not two.
Revised January 22, 2021