Trail & District Public Library - Interlibrary Loans

Guide to Placing Interlibrary Loan Requests

What is OutLook Online?

Funded by the Province of British Columbia, OutLook Online is a Library catalogue for British Columbians with 3 million items found in BC's libraries.

OutLook Online is accessible through the Internet from your home, school, office, or the library. You use this catalogue when your local Library does not have what you are looking for.

The materials found in OutLook Online are available to you through Interlibrary loan as a service of your Library. If you find something you want, you can request this item using the procedures described below. Because of shipping restrictions, only books are normally available.

Interlibrary loan in BC is built upon the goodwill of each library participating in the Interlibrary loan network. Your Library has special policies and procedures that are followed when placing Interlibrary loans.

How Do I Use OutLook Online?

You search OutLook Online in the same way you search your Library's online catalogue.

Online Help

If you need help at any time, click on the Help button found at the top right-hand corner of every screen.

You can also ask a Library staff member for assistance.

Types of Searches You Can Do - Keyword, Browse or Advanced Search

For each term entered you can leave it at the default of "all headings" to search all indexes or you may specify whether it is an author, title, subject to limit the search.

Advanced searching allows you to perform complex searches that include or exclude specific terms based on what you enter combined with Boolean Search operators: And, Or, Not.

Click on Search. The system will display the results of your search.

How Do I Place An Interlibrary Loan?

Before considering Interlibrary loan, be sure the title you want is not in your own library's collection. Remember to check your Library's catalogue first. If you find more than one record for the title you want, choose the one with the most Locations. This number is in brackets following Locations.

Click on the title to select the record you want. The full entry for the record will display, click on the "Request This Item" button in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

A new window with an ILL request form will open up. Enter your personal information in the following fields:

Patron Identifier: Enter as your patron identifier the first 3 letters of your last name and the last 4 digits of your library card number.
First Name: Enter your first name.
Create a Password: Enter your preferred password.
Library Card: Enter your library card number in full.
Phone: Enter your phone number with area code.

Please note that: Patron Identifier, First Name, Create a Password, Library Card, and Phone are mandatory fields. If you do not include them, your Interlibrary Loan request will not be accepted.

The Need By date field should be left at the default setting so the request does not expire. If you have a deadline, input this information in the Patron's Notes field.

When you are finished, click on the Submit button.

If you choose to abandon the request close this window by clicking on the Close button or "X" icon in the top right hand corner.

How Do I Keep Track Of My Interlibrary Loan Request?

You can check the status of any request that you have placed yourself using OutLook Online.

On the Patron Menu select ILL Request Tracking from the box on the left hand side of the screen.

A box will appear. Enter your Patron Identifier that you used when you placed your request and the password you used when you placed the request. Click on the Submit button.

A box will open with information including the status of your request at present. Your Patron Identifier and password must be the same as those you used when you made your ILL request(s). If you forgot your password, or made an error when you created your ILL request(s), there is no way to track your request(s). If you are unsure what the status means, ask a Library staff member.

Is there a limit on the number or type of materials that I can request?

3 active requests at a time
Books only
Titles must be more than 18 months old

For assistance, please contact the Library by phone at (250) 364-1731 or by email.