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Purchase Requests & Interlibrary Loans

Please note that only Full Access patrons may use our Interlibrary Loan/Purchase Request service!

You may have 5 requests active at any one time (requests for digital materials do not count toward this total).

How to Place a Request

  1. Check our catalog first! (Looking for ebooks or downloadable audiobooks? Go here.)

  2. If the item you want is not in our catalog, click the Purchase Request/Interlibrary Loan link that appears at the top of your search results. (If you're on mobile, tap Search Options to find the Purchase Request/Interlibrary Loan link).

    Desktop:
    The Purchase Request link is located under the search bar in the catalog
    Mobile: where to find the purhcase request link on mobile

  3. In the window that opens, check the box next to OCLC WorldCat and click Set Databases.
    Select WorldCat to find a book not in our collection

  4. Click 'Go!' to run your search again. (Tip: Use "quotation marks" to search for an exact phrase and use the drop-down Search By menu to specify that you're looking for a title. When all else fails, search by ISBN!)
    Tips: Use quotation marks and the drop down menus to make a more specific search. When all else fails, try ISBN!

  5. When you find the title you were looking for, Click the "Place Request" button.
    Click Place Reqest when you find your title.

    If you're not already logged in, you will have to enter your library card and PIN.
    Please note: Requests can only be completed by Full Access card holders.
    If you are blocked from placing a request due to overdue items, please contact us - we want to help!

  6. If you can't find the item in the World Catalog, call us at (219) 769-3541 or use our 24/7 Ask a Librarian service. We'll help you out!

Following these steps works even if the item you need is out of print or very old - if we can't buy it for our collection, we'll find another library that will loan it to us!

Still Have Questions?

See our Interlibrary Loan & Purchase Request FAQs. If you need more help, you can always use our Ask a Librarian form - available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


Request eBooks & eAudiobooks

You can also request digital materials to add to the library's Overdrive/Libby collection using Notify Me tags! Here's how.

Some things to keep in mind: 

  • First, check our digital collection to see if we have the item. You should check both Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla

  • If the title is not available in EITHER collection, search for it in Overdrive/Libby and add a Notify Me tag to the title.
    Please note: If the title is available in Hoopla, we will not purchase it for Overdrive/Libby.

  • If we purchase the title, you'll be notified - but you won't be automatically added to the holds list. This is because you get unlimited Notify Me tags and we can't choose for you which titles you want to use your holds on!

  • Your tags are anonymous - we only see the number of tags on a title, not any information about you.

New at LCPL

Looking for something new? These titles have just hit our shelves!

Upcoming Events
Mon, Dec 23, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room
Join us for a storytime for kids 4-5 years old, featuring stories, music and craft, that help develop early literacy skills. Attendees... more
Join us for a storytime for kids 4-5 years old, featuring stories, music and craft, that help develop early literacy skills. Attendees must register.

Mon, Dec 23, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room A
Compete in a series of fast-paced games and activities that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Mon, Dec 23, 5:30pm - 7:15pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room
You are invited to join us for a showing of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carrey!

Mon, Dec 23, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Munster - Large Meeting Room,Munster Zoom Room
Teens, let's spill about books! Each month we'll read and talk about a different book. In December we are reading Etiquette & Espionage... more
Teens, let's spill about books! Each month we'll read and talk about a different book. In December we are reading Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger Pick up books @ Munster Branch.

Thu, Dec 26, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Like to cross-stitch, knit, crochet, or do any other craft? Every Thursday, bring and work on your own project while enjoying the... more
Like to cross-stitch, knit, crochet, or do any other craft? Every Thursday, bring and work on your own project while enjoying the company of others.

Thu, Dec 26, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Teens are invited to watch My Hero Academia from the beginning. We'll also have art supplies along with a craft on hand if you get... more
Teens are invited to watch My Hero Academia from the beginning. We'll also have art supplies along with a craft on hand if you get creative. Snacks will be provided.

Fri, Dec 27, 10:30am - 11:30am
Hobart - Children's Program Room
Babies (ages birth to 23 months) and their caregivers can join us for an hour of play. Baby safe toys will be provided. Light... more
Babies (ages birth to 23 months) and their caregivers can join us for an hour of play. Baby safe toys will be provided. Light refreshments for caregivers.

Fri, Dec 27, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Come and play the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong at the library. This is an open play session, there is no instructor but other players... more
Come and play the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong at the library. This is an open play session, there is no instructor but other players may share tips/directions. Please register. Ages 18 & over.

Fri, Dec 27, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hobart - Children's Area
Meet and read to a local LCC K-9 comfort dog and its handler. LCC K-9 comfort dogs show kindness and calm to people throughout the... more
Meet and read to a local LCC K-9 comfort dog and its handler. LCC K-9 comfort dogs show kindness and calm to people throughout the community and beyond, making them excellent listeners.

Sat, Dec 28, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Children are welcome to come and play chess in our meeting room! Chess boards will be provided if you don't have one!

Sat, Dec 28, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Join us at the library to play Bingo! All ages are welcome to play. Winners will be able to choose from a variety of small prizes.

Mon, Dec 30, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Teens & Tweens (ages 10 to 18) are invited to see a screening of Inside Out 2. As Riley becomes a teenager, she has to make room for new... more
Teens & Tweens (ages 10 to 18) are invited to see a screening of Inside Out 2. As Riley becomes a teenager, she has to make room for new emotions. Runtime: 100 minutes; rated PG. Snacks provided.
This event is full

Mon, Dec 30, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Merrillville - Board Room
Meeting of the Lake County Public Library Board of Trustees

Mon, Dec 30, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you. We'll brainstorm and... more
The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you. We'll brainstorm and discuss ways to improve teen programs.

Mon, Dec 30, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room
Join us for this new monthly club as we solve murder mysteries, escape rooms, ponder puzzles, play games, and otherwise ask "Whodunit?".... more
Join us for this new monthly club as we solve murder mysteries, escape rooms, ponder puzzles, play games, and otherwise ask "Whodunit?". This month we will solve the "Murder in the Laboratory"!

Tue, Dec 31, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room
Join us for an early New Year's Eve Celebration! We'll make a party hat, do the limbo, and gather to bring in the Noon Year together.

Tue, Dec 31, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Relax via this coloring for adults open session. Enjoy a warm cup of coffee or tea while getting creative with no pressure for... more
Relax via this coloring for adults open session. Enjoy a warm cup of coffee or tea while getting creative with no pressure for perfection. Coloring materials provided.

Tue, Dec 31, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room
Join us for a special storytime, for our friends who can't always make it to midnight, featuring songs, rhymes, and crafts.
This event is full