Suggest for Purchase & Interlibrary Loan
Hoping to borrow something, but can't find it in our catalog? If Tacoma Public Library does not have the item you want, we may be able to purchase a copy, or you may be able to borrow it from another library.
Suggest for Purchase and Interlibrary Loans (ILL) are only available to residents of Tacoma (patrons who live outside Tacoma city limits must request through their home library system.)
Suggest for Purchase
For recently published titles, log into your account to suggest items you want to check out and to check if your request is approved. You can make up to three purchase suggestions a month, but please understand we cannot purchase every title suggested. Factors considered in items suggested for purchase include:
- Availability and cost
- 10 years old or newer
- Published or will be published in the next three months
Suggest a Purchase FAQs
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To suggest an item for purchase, please fill out the Suggest for Purchase, opens a new window form online or contact any Tacoma Public Library branch., opens a new window
Unfortunately, the Library cannot purchase everything that is requested. Suggestions will be evaluated using the Library’s selection criteria as stated in the Collection Development Policy.
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The online Suggest for Purchase, opens a new window form requires a user to log in because suggestions are managed from within your Library Account. If you do not have a Tacoma Public Library card, you can get a card and make a suggestion at one of our eight branch locations., opens a new window
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You can make up to 3 purchase suggestions each month. Please suggest only one format per title. Suggestions are tracked in your Library Account.
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Librarians are guided by selection criteria outlined in the Collection Development Policy, as well as the current budgetary circumstances.
Borrow a book from another Library (Interlibrary Loan)
For older and scholarly titles, we may be able to borrow from another library. Each patron can request up to three interlibrary loans (ILL) a month. ILLs are perfect for titles that are:
- Published more than five years ago
- Academic or specialist titles
- Articles from publications that TPL doesn’t subscribe to
ILL FAQs
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Our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service provides access to materials that are not in our collection by requesting them from other library systems.
Make an Interlibrary Loan request using our online form, opens a new window. If you are unable to use the online form, the staff at any of our branches can get a paper version for you to fill out.
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Patrons who have a valid standard or limited Tacoma Public Library card with fines below $100 may request items through Interlibrary Loan. Patrons living in another library’s service area who hold a Tacoma Public Library card through a reciprocal agreement must request ILL items through their home library system.
Interlibrary Loan is a free service from Tacoma Public Library. Please note patrons will be responsible for any costs charged by the lending library, such as borrowing and damaged/lost fees.
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You can request up to 3 items per month within the following item types:
- Books (older than 12 months)
- Audiobook CD (older than 12 months)
- Sheet Music
- Articles
We do not process any requests for titles published within the last 12 months, DVDs, eBooks, eAudiobooks, Music CDs, CD-ROMs, or Software.
You may request the same title only once per calendar year.
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Patrons will be notified by email or telephone when their items are available.
Materials may be picked up from and returned to any Tacoma Public Library location except the Eastside Community Center.
Please return ILL items via the inside book drops at one of our branches or give them to a staff member at the checkout desk.
If you have any questions regarding your ILL requests or materials, email us at ill@tacomalibrary.org.
