Welcome to the Olean Public Library! Check out our new site!

Interlibrary Loan

Before making a request

Verify that the item you want is not owned by an online member library by checking the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System catalog.

About the item

  • Title
  • Author

And, if possible, we would also like the following:

  • Publisher
  • Year of Publication
  • Edition (ex. 5th)
  • Price

A librarian will search for your requested title in an online database. If the book you are looking for is no longer in print, it may be a little harder to find, but not necessarily impossible.

About you

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Your telephone number
  • Answers to these questions:

Is it ok to substitute something similar for the item you are looking for?

If we can’t find the exact book on catfish, will another book on catfish be okay? Or perhaps a photocopy of an article on catfish?

How long do you want us to try and get the book from another library?

If it is a civil service test book and the test is a month away, if we haven’t gotten it in 3 weeks should we stop? You can give us a cut-off date.

This is an important question, because it takes a minimum of 2 weeks and usually from 2 to 6 weeks to get a book on Interloan. If you need the book tomorrow or next week, then we will not be able to help you through Interloan.

Will you pay any fees associated with a book delivered from outside the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System?

Items found at libraries in the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System are loaned to us for free. If none of our member libraries own the item you want, we can look outside of our system. We are charged a fee for shipping and handling for anything from outside our library system.

We cannot search for your item beyond our library system unless you agree to pay out-of-system fees beforehand.

ILL Fees

No charge for a book or periodical article from any library in the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System (CCLS).

$4.00 for a request filled from outside CCLS.

Make a Request

Call the Information Desk at 716 372 0200