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).

Can't Find What You Need?

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:
   
   Mobile:
   
   

3. In the window that opens, check the box next to OCLC WorldCat and click Set Databases.
   
   
   

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!)
   
   
   

5. When you find the title you were looking for, Click the "Place Request" button.
   
   
   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 resident patrons in good standing with no money owed!

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 collection! You can make 2 requests for digital materials per week. Follow the steps below.

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

• If you can't find the title in either Overdrive or Hoopla, you can request the title through Overdrive (Hoopla does not allow for requests). Go to Overdrive's advanced search page, type in the title, and make sure you choose "Recommend to library" under Availability. If the title exists in Overdrive's library, it will appear in your results.

• Hover over the book cover you wish to suggest and click "Recommend" (you will be prompted to sign in if you haven't already). Click "Recommend This Title" in the window that appears.

• If you need help, you can always give your local library a call or use our Ask a Librarian form!

Need more specific instructions? If you've already checked Hoopla for the book you are looking for, try this step-by-step guide for suggesting an item through Overdrive, complete with pictures!