INTERLIBRARY LOANS (ILL)

Interlibrary Loans (ILL)

Borrow Materials from the State Library in Hartford

The Interlibrary Loans (ILL) service allows other libraries to borrow items from the State Library collections in Hartford. 

Interlibrary Loans are a simple and cost-effective way for libraries to share resources. You can access thousands of items that may not be available in your local library, like books, articles, recordings, microforms, and more. We can also send copies of many of the items in our collection. 

If your requested item can be copied or circulated, it is most likely eligible for an Interlibrary Loan. To preserve our collections, please note that some items may be for State Library use only or too fragile to loan. 

Please note, Interlibrary Loans are for libraries to share resources, not for individuals.

Borrowing Privileges for CT State Employees  

Our Process and Fees

Who We Loan To

  • Libraries in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico 
  • Military bases with an APO or FPO address 
  • These U.S. territories: American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Interlibrary Loans (ILL)

Interlibrary Loans are for libraries to share resources, not for individuals.

If you are an individual and want to borrow materials from the Connecticut State Library, we can help.

Materials We Loan

  • Circulating items in the catalog can be borrowed with an Interlibrary Loan.
  • Items with a status of “Library Use Only” cannot be borrowed.

To find out if your item is eligible, contact us or search the State Library Catalog.

Loan Period and Renewals

Loan periods for Interlibrary Loans are six weeks, including shipping time. 
Renewals allow for an additional four weeks. Please ask for renewals at least one week before the item is due.

Materials We Copy and Send

If items are not available to loan, we might be able to send you a copy. To preserve our collection, fragile material can not be copied or loaned.

  • For serial publications, search the catalog to determine if we own the issue you need. 
  • The requesting library must prove copyright compliance by indicating CCG or CCL. 

Newspaper Microfilm

We no longer loan newspaper microfilm unless we hold the master or a duplicate copy. 
If you have a newspaper inquiry, speak with someone directly on our Ask a Librarian page.

How to Use the Interlibrary Loan Service

To borrow materials available for loan from the State Library, libraries can send requests to:

OCLC symbol: CZL

requestIT CT symbol: CZL (use this one for most items)
requestIT CT symbol: CZLG (use this one for federal documents)

By Fax or Email:

Fax: (860-757-6559) if using an ALA form

Email: CSL.ILL@ct.gov

By Mail:

Interlibrary Loan Office
Connecticut State Library
231 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106

How We Deliver Interlibrary Loans

We do our best to deliver your items by the method you request. 
Items can be delivered by:

  • Mail 
  • Fax - We can not fax more than 30 pages, and can not fax outside the contiguous U.S. 
  • UPS or another carrier if your account number is provided 
  • Electronic delivery 
  • deliverIT CT, a statewide delivery service for Connecticut libraries

Fees to Borrow

  • Loans: The State Library does not charge for loans. 
  • Copies (10 pages or fewer): The State Library does not charge for copies that are 10 pages or fewer. 
  • Copies (Over 10 pages): Fees will vary, so please view our full list of Reproduction Fees for more information. 
    • Fees are due in U.S. dollars and are charged regardless of mail or fax delivery. 
    • If your item does require a fee, we will send an invoice with your item. Please do not pay in advance. 
    • Please note, the title page and copyright statement do count as the first two pages of your copy.

Overdue, Lost, and Damaged Items

Returning items when they are due is a key part of what makes the Interlibrary Loan service work. 
If you don’t return an item within four weeks after it’s due, the State Library charges a minimum of $25 or the actual replacement cost.

If your library has accrued $100 in replacement fees, or received two or more overdue notices, your borrowing privileges will be suspended until the items are returned or replacement charges are paid. 
View more details on State Library policies in Borrowing Materials.

Borrowing from the Middletown Library Service Center (MLSC)

The Middletown Library Service Center supports librarians across the state with its unique collection of books, STEM kits, puppets, and other specialized materials. 
Learn more about borrowing items from the MLSC.

Contact Information for the Interlibrary Loan Service in Hartford

Interlibrary Loan Office

Connecticut State Library
231 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106

deliverIT CT route: C-84

Phone Number: 860-757-6561
Fax Number: 860-757-6559
Email: CSL.ILL@ct.gov

OCLC symbol: CZL

requestIT CT symbol: CZL (use this one for most items)
requestIT CT symbol: CZLG (use this one for federal documents)

Affiliations/Memberships Information

To join the Interlibrary Loan service network, send requests to: