You may be used to browsing shelves, finding an item, and checking it out, but did you know that APL offers free Interlibrary Loan service as well? The SAILS network offers access to items in over 40 communities and 73 libraries. If the item is not in a SAILS library, then try requesting it via the new Commonwealth Catalog, which provides access to public and academic libraries across the state. Use your library card number and PIN (usually the last four numbers of your phone #) to request your most wanted book, music or video and it will be delivered to your local library.
Can’t find the item you want in either SAILS or the Commonwealth Catalog? Our Reference Department is happy to request it via Interlibrary Loan. APL’s free Interlibrary Loan service is an option for items not found in local libraries. Use this service to borrow those hard-to-find books, audiobooks, music cd’s and DVD’s. We frequently borrow these items, as well as foreign language items, for our patrons. Please note that ILL cannot be used to request items published in the last six months, new release feature films & TV series, or paperbacks, and is only for items available in the continental United States.
Please contact our Reference Department at apl_ref@sailsinc.org to learn more about this service. Interlibrary Loan service is in cooperation with the SAILS network, Commonwealth Catalog, and Massachusetts Library System.
