Hunterdon County Library cardholders in good standing can request materials outside of the library catalog using the library’s Interlibrary Loan Request forms. This reciprocal lending system uses statewide and national databases. Interlibrary loan requests are limited to items not in the HCL system or available through the Main Library Alliance consortium and which have been published more than one year prior to the date of request.   

Acceptable ILL formats may include books, articles, audiobooks, music CDs, and movies/video. No ILL request is guaranteed to be filled. HCL does not request items outside of the country. Lending libraries assess each request and determine whether they can provide the requested item. If an approved request cannot be filled, the library will notify the patron by email or phone.  

ILL items may be borrowed for 21 days. Generally, ILL items may not be renewed. There is a charge of $0.20/per day per item charged when items are returned late, up to a maximum overdue fee of $5.00. Replacement charges are assessed at the discretion of the lending library and may include the cost of the material and/or a processing fee.   

The library assumes any costs associated with obtaining books, audiobooks, and media materials for loan. The requesting patron assumes any costs associated with charges placed by the loaning library for printing or photocopying, to be paid to the Hunterdon County Library.  

HCL cardholders may submit up to three requests per day and are limited to 10 total active requests. Requests are active from the time they are submitted until the item is returned to its lending library or the patron is notified the request cannot be filled. The same item may not be requested within one month of its return to its home library. Any requests over three in one day and/or over 10 total active requests will be cancelled without notification. Repeated or frequent violations of the ILL policy may result in suspended privileges.  

9/19/2025