Request Items

Reserve items in the collection

Reservations may be placed on items in the Library's collection if they are currently on loan, or if they are held at another library branch.

How to reserve an item

Reserve items by logging into the Library Catalogue with your library card number and PIN.

  1. Perform a search for the title you would like to reserve and view the record in full display.
  2. Select the Place Reservation button displayed at the top and bottom of the record display. This button will only appear if a reservation may be placed on this title.
  3. Enter your borrower ID and PIN if you are not already logged in.
  4. Select the location from which you would like to collect the item.
  5. Select the item you would like to reserve.
  6. Enter any notes you would like to include then select the Place Reservation
  7. Details of your reservation will be displayed. This includes your current rank in the waiting list for the title.

Collecting your reserved item

You will be notified by post or email when the requested item is available for collection. If the requested items are not collected within 10 days of being allocated to you, they will return to the shelves for other members to borrow.

Inter-library loans

It may be possible to obtain material not held by Blacktown City Libraries through the Inter-Library Resources Sharing scheme. The goal of the inter-library loan service is to serve the needs of library customers with timely retrieval of items not available locally.


Inter-library loan conditions and restrictions

  • Loans are for a period of 2 weeks and renewals are at the discretion of the lending library.
  • The Library is unable to fulfill inter-library loan requests for recently published items. Please consider placing a suggestion for purchase.
  • Only those holding full membership are eligible for the inter-library loan service.
  • Audio visual material is not commonly available on inter-library loan.

How to place an inter-library loan request

  • First, check the Library Catalogue to confirm that the item is not held in the collection.
  • Place the request by contacting any of the library branches.
  • Pay the $2.50 processing charge.

Once a request has been made

The Inter-Library Loans Officer will be notified of your request and will perform the following actions:

  • Verify the details of the item.
  • Identify a library which holds the item and place a request to borrow the item on your behalf.
  • Notify you when the item arrives and is ready for collection, or advise you if the item is not obtainable. Requests for inter-library loans take approximately 2 weeks to be fulfilled.

Charges for inter-library loans

All inter-library loan requests will incur a non-refundable processing charge of $2.50, payable at the time of making the request.

An additional charge of $16.50 may apply for items held by University, TAFE and special libraries. The Inter-Library Loans Officer will advise you in the event that this additional charge may apply.

Suggest an item for purchase

You can suggest items for purchase by logging into your library account with your library card number and PIN via the Library Catalogue , or by contacting any of the library branches.

Please use the Library Catalogue to confirm that the item is not already held in the library's collection, prior to making to a purchase request.