Burnham Library offers an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service to help give Colchester patrons* access to materials from other libraries. We can call upon other libraries throughout Vermont -- and even throughout the country -- to try and track down the material(s) you're looking to check out.
With ILL, we handle getting the items sent to us here at Burnham; patrons both pick up and return the item(s) here. Patrons are able to have three active ILL requests in process at a time.
*Please note that we only process interlibrary loan request for Colchester patrons. If your home library is in another town, please contact them to place an ILL request on your behalf.
Making an ILL Request:
Burnham cardholders can complete a form at one of the circulation desks in the library, or call us at 802-264-5660 or send us an email. We will need some details from you about the item (title, author, format -- like large print or book on CD, etc.) and your preferred contact information so we can let you know when it's ready for pick up (or any other status updates).
- Please note: We do not place ILL requests for items newer than six months. In those cases, we can complete a purchase request on your behalf or we're happy to direct you to a Homecard library that may have it available (more on that below!).
Interlibrary loan items will be affixed with a paper band with the due date written on there. Because we are borrowing from other libraries, it's important that we adhere to the due dates. Interlibrary Loan isn't possible without the generosity of our lenders, so we appreciate your help in staying in good standing with them.
- If you want a renewal on an ILL item, we must contact the lending library for approval (and that process can sometimes take a few days) so the preference is we do that before it becomes overdue.
- Similarly, if at any point you no longer need an item you've placed an ILL request for, please let us know.
Wait... how is Interlibrary Loan different from Homecard? As a Burnham Library cardholder, you are part of the Homecard system -- which means you can use that Burnham card at many other nearby libraries. In that case, you go to that location and check out directly from them and also return items directly to them (whereas with ILL, everything you do takes place at Burnham since we facilitate the delivery).
If you do have access to transportation to a nearby Homecard library, this may be a preferable route over ILL if...
If you do have access to transportation to a nearby Homecard library, this may be a preferable route over ILL if...
- The item you want is fairly new (there are restrictions on placing requests for new items and may libraries don't loan them out for even longer periods -- however they are still available for regular checkout, even if you live in another town)
- You need the item rather quickly (delivery time for interlibrary loans is usually about two weeks, though it can be longer depending on availability)
All that said, we are always happy to place an interlibrary loan request! We just want to make sure patrons understand all the options at their disposal to locate items we may not own here at Burnham Library.