Inter-library loans

About inter-library loans

State Library members can request materials through inter-library loan that are not typically available at local public libraries or held in our collection. 

Search and Request an Inter Library Loan

You can track your orders, cancel requests or renew inter-library loans in My Account. Searching and requesting assistance is also available on this page. New members should allow two business days for access to this service.

Inter-library loans will be delivered to the Welcome Desk on the Ground Floor of the State Library. Delivery times vary, but items not picked up within 7 days will be returned to the lending library.

Fees may apply for some items and payment is required before the loan is processed. Additional conditions may apply to rare, heritage or high demand items.

Libraries that are not part of the Western Australian public library network are not able to loan the following: 

  • Academic textbooks 
  • Not for loan items e.g. reference books, print serials, maps 

The following items are not available for inter-library lending from Western Australian public libraries: 

  • Newly acquired books and audio (12 months or less), including fiction, non-fiction, junior and young adult 
  • All DVDs 

Exceptions will be made for library members with special needs, including: people with disabilities requiring particular formats; people who are housebound; members from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds needing access to material in languages other than English; and small non-metropolitan libraries serving communities of fewer than 1,500 people, where alternative access to library materials is limited.  

Inter-library loans FAQ

Items not typically available in your local public library’s collection or the State Library collection. Remember, restrictions apply to inter-library lending. 

The restrictions intend to ensure that materials in public libraries are available for loan by members of the local community. 

It is preferable for public libraries to purchase popular titles for their members as it is more cost effective and environmentally sustainable than moving items via inter-library loan. 

Please speak to staff at your library. If you are using the State Library’s online inter-library loans portal, please add a note in the ‘special instructions’ field. 

Please speak to staff at your library. The item you are looking for may be available in an alternative format, such as an eBook, or it may be held in a nearby library. 

If it is a title that may be of interest to others in the community, your library may purchase it for the collection.  

Your library can also suggest similar alternative titles that may interest you if a particular item is not available. 

Yes, you can join and borrow directly from any public library in Western Australia, subject to their membership conditions. You will need to return any items loaned directly to the library you have borrowed from.

The State Government provides registered home educators access to educational materials on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website and on Scootle, which is an online resource bank published by Education Services Australia. 

There are a number of services that home educators can access – more information is provided on the Department of Education website. 

If you need to obtain supplementary materials through your library, library staff can recommend online collections of eBooks and eAudiobooks, suggest alternative titles, direct you to other nearby libraries, or purchase material if it will appeal to other members of the community. 

Inter-library loans fees

External Libraries (non-WA public library) 
Core service - Loan (4 working days - books, microfilms etc.)$30.30
Core service - Copy (up to 25 pages)$19.70
Rush service (24 hours)$39.30
Express service (2 hours)$59.00
Additional Copies 
Additional 25 pages or part thereof$4.60
Deliveries by Express Post 
Copies$16.00
Loans up to 3kg$16.00
Home Delivery 
Postage charge$10.60
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