What If I Can’t Find It at My Library?

March 04, 2013

One of the great things about the MCPL system is the ability to get almost any item you might be trying to find. With over thirty branches, the Library has almost anything you could want. But every once in a while, there might be something that <gasp> our Library doesn’t own. 

Don’t fret! We have an amazing InterLibrary Loan service that allows us to borrow books, DVDs, and sound recordings from all over the United States. Best of all, this comes at no charge to the customer. Simply let one of our library employees know what you are looking for, and we will search our WorldCat catalog.  However, if you find yourself wanting to submit a request after the Library is closed, you can access the catalog yourself. Simply search by title or author, submit your request, and wait to hear from our InterLibrary Loan Department. 

Unfortunately, as great as InterLibrary Loan is, there are still some items that you won't find. Sometimes, books will be out of print, discontinued, or discarded by libraries; all of this makes it difficult to find the book on the shelf. Also, if a book is printed outside of the United States, the Library may not be able to borrow it since we can only get books from libraries in our region. If the item is new, it may be a long wait since the lending library gives priority to their customers with holds. Nonetheless, with a little patience, your persistence may pay off in the long run. 

So if you have been desperately searching for the one of a kind book you read once upon a time, don’t give up hope. All of us at the Library can help you find it to the best of our ability. One of my favorite parts of my job is finally finding that ever-elusive book or author for a customer. With a little help from WorldCat, it’s not so difficult!

Jamie C.
Platte City Branch