Inter-Library Loan Services

Get books and other items from any MPL location! You can now place holds on items online and have them sent to any MPL location you like!  When you search an item on our catalog, click on "Details" and then on the "Place Hold" link on the left.  Certain items cannot be placed on hold - Reference, Special Collections, Xpress, and Video Games. These items include rare books, genealogy materials, reference books, and items that we like to have available for browsing collections.

 If we do not own the items you need, we are able to borrow books and and obtain photocopies of articles from other libraries. For information call 251-208-7084 or  e-mail us at illservices@mplonline.org 

• The only time we borrow materials owned by the Library is in the case of fiction books kept in the non-circulating Local History and Genealogy collection because the author is of local interest.
• Anyone with a library card in good standing may request an Inter-Library Loan. Requests can be placed at the reference desk at any branch.
• There is is a $2.00 fee for postage/handling in addition to any charges made by the lending library.  However, there is usually no charge from the lending libraries for books or copies, but there may be if we have to go outside the southeast region to get the material requested. 
• There is also a $2.00 fine for items received and not picked up.
• Loan periods and renewals are set by the lending libraries and are out of Mobile Public Library's control.