Interlibrary Loan

Request a Loan

If you have a valid Library of Virginia card, you can place an interlibrary loan request for materials not owned by the Library of Virginia. You can request library materials such as books, journal and newspaper articles, and microfilm.

Some requests, including requests for journal and newspaper articles, may be eligible for digital delivery.

Unless the lending library imposes a charge, there is no cost for this service. You may set a limit on the amount you are willing to pay.

Materials must be picked up at and returned to the Library of Virginia. If an item is returned late and there are overdue fines from the lending library, you are responsible for the charges.

For Libraries

We loan materials and supply copies to libraries that participate in interlibrary loan. If you are a library user, you should contact your local library to place a request.

Libraries may submit requests via OCLC or on an ALA form which may be mailed to the Library of Virginia, or faxed to (804) 692-3537, or scanned and emailed to ill@lva.virginia.gov.

All loans are for 49 days. Materials may be renewed once for an additional 28 days, with the exception of overdue materials or materials on hold for another library. There is a 5 volume or 5 reel limit per patron. We do not charge for loans or copies.

Please note the following lending restrictions:

• We do not lend materials published before 1926 or materials in poor condition.
• We do not loan the majority of periodicals; however, we reproduce newspaper, magazine, or journal articles with a citation.
• We do not loan materials that display a location of Reference, Main, or Local History and Genealogy Room in our catalog.
• We lend most Virginia local history, genealogy publications, and regimental histories to in-state libraries only.
• We loan microfilm of select collections, including county and city records, and newspapers. However, we strongly recommend that you contact us before placing requests for microfilm, as some materials may be digitized.
• There are many other items that are not eligible for loan due to value, numbers of copies, and other considerations.

Need Help?