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Purchase Requests & Interlibrary Loans

Please note that only Full Access patrons may use our Interlibrary Loan/Purchase Request service!

You may have 5 requests active at any one time (requests for digital materials do not count toward this total).

How to Place a Request

  1. Check our catalog first! (Looking for ebooks or downloadable audiobooks? Go here.) Note: You can't complete a purchase request from the LCPL app, but you can do so from your mobile browser.

  2. If the item you want is not in our catalog, click the Purchase Request/Interlibrary Loan link that appears at the top of your search results. (If you're on mobile, tap Search Options to find the Purchase Request/Interlibrary Loan link).

    Desktop:
    The Purchase Request link is located under the search bar in the catalog
    Mobile: where to find the purhcase request link on mobile

  3. In the window that opens, check the box next to OCLC WorldCat and click Set Databases.
    Select WorldCat to find a book not in our collection

  4. Your search will begin running again, but you may have to click Add Pending Results at the top of your search results to see the new items. (Tip: Use "quotation marks" to search for an exact phrase and use the drop-down Search By menu to specify that you're looking for a title. When all else fails, search by ISBN!)
    Tips: Use quotation marks and the drop down menus to make a more specific search. When all else fails, try ISBN!

  5. When you find the title you were looking for, Click the "Place Request" button.
    Click Place Reqest when you find your title.

    If you're not already logged in, you will have to enter your library card and PIN.
    Please note: Requests can only be completed by Full Access card holders.
    If you are blocked from placing a request due to overdue items, please contact us - we want to help!

  6. If you can't find the item in the World Catalog, call us at (219) 769-3541 or use our 24/7 Ask a Librarian service. We'll help you out!

Following these steps works even if the item you need is out of print or very old - if we can't buy it for our collection, we'll find another library that will loan it to us!

Still Have Questions?

See our Interlibrary Loan & Purchase Request FAQs. If you need more help, you can always use our Ask a Librarian form - available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


Request eBooks & eAudiobooks

You can also request digital materials to add to the library's Overdrive/Libby collection using Notify Me tags! Here's how.

Some things to keep in mind: 

  • First, check our digital collection to see if we have the item. You should check both Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla

  • If the title is not available in EITHER collection, search for it in Overdrive/Libby and add a Notify Me tag to the title.
    Please note: If the title is available in Hoopla, we will not purchase it for Overdrive/Libby.

  • If we purchase the title, you'll be notified - but you won't be automatically added to the holds list. This is because you get unlimited Notify Me tags and we can't choose for you which titles you want to use your holds on!

  • Your tags are anonymous - we only see the number of tags on a title, not any information about you.

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Looking for something new? These titles have just hit our shelves!

Upcoming Events
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Cancelled
Mon, Dec 22, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Merrillville
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Mon, Dec 22, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room A
Compete in a series of fast-paced games and activities that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Mon, Dec 22, 1:00pm - 1:40pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room
Join us for a storytime for kids 4-5 years old, featuring stories, music and craft, that help develop early literacy skills. Attendees... more
Join us for a storytime for kids 4-5 years old, featuring stories, music and craft, that help develop early literacy skills. Attendees must register.

Mon, Dec 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland - Meeting Room A
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Mon, Dec 22, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
The holidays are here! Whether you celebrate or not, it's hard to say no to cookies. Teens, come by to make gingerbread men from... more
The holidays are here! Whether you celebrate or not, it's hard to say no to cookies. Teens, come by to make gingerbread men from scratch! We'll decorate sugar cookies while they bake.
This event is full

Mon, Dec 22, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Merrillville - Upper Level
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Mon, Dec 22, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room,Programming Room
Join us for this monthly club as we solve murder mysteries, escape rooms, ponder puzzles, play games, and otherwise ask... more
Join us for this monthly club as we solve murder mysteries, escape rooms, ponder puzzles, play games, and otherwise ask "Whodunit?". Will we solve the "Murder in the North Pole"?

Mon, Dec 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Munster - Children's Program Room
Children (completed grades K-5) may free build with the library's LEGO® blocks or build a 'challenge' project.

Mon, Dec 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Children's Program Room
A monthly program featuring activities in the area of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math with different activity/ theme... more
A monthly program featuring activities in the area of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math with different activity/ theme each program.

Tue, Dec 23, 10:30am - 11:15am
Merrillville - Children's Programming Room
Children will have fun developing early literary skills as they enjoy stories, songs, crafts and more.

Tue, Dec 23, 10:30am - 1:30pm
Hobart - Large Meeting Room
Join us and bring your current painting projects/materials for an opportunity to chat and create!

Tue, Dec 23, 11:30am - 11:50am
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room
Babies and toddlers, birth - 23 months of age, accompanied by their caregivers, will enjoy this program filled with rhymes, books,... more
Babies and toddlers, birth - 23 months of age, accompanied by their caregivers, will enjoy this program filled with rhymes, books, music, and movement designed to help early literacy skills.
This event is full

Tue, Dec 23, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Cedar Lake - Children's Programming Room
This is a storytime program for babies and toddlers birth - 23 months of age, accompanied by their caregivers, filled with rhymes,... more
This is a storytime program for babies and toddlers birth - 23 months of age, accompanied by their caregivers, filled with rhymes, books, music, and movement designed to help early literacy skills.

Tue, Dec 23, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room C
Join Kathy, a Certified Laughter Leader-Expert, for this 8-week series to relieve mental and physical discomfort by laughing!

Tue, Dec 23, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Take a time out this fourth Tuesday from holiday planning for some calming music, word puzzles, coloring sheets, & other relaxing... more
Take a time out this fourth Tuesday from holiday planning for some calming music, word puzzles, coloring sheets, & other relaxing activities.

Tue, Dec 23, 4:00pm - 5:15pm
Cedar Lake - Meeting Room A
Have you seen people playing games like Dungeons & Dragons and want to try it yourself? We will be playing the fantasy RPG "Dragonbane",... more
Have you seen people playing games like Dungeons & Dragons and want to try it yourself? We will be playing the fantasy RPG "Dragonbane", a game similar to D&D. Beginners are welcome. For ages 12-18. 

Tue, Dec 23, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Merrillville - Small Group Room #3
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Fri, Dec 26, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
Join an open play Mahjong session; there is NO INSTRUCTOR but other players may share tips/directions. Please bring a game set if you... more
Join an open play Mahjong session; there is NO INSTRUCTOR but other players may share tips/directions. Please bring a game set if you have one! On-hand gaming supplies are limited. Ages 18 & over.

Sat, Dec 27, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Lake Station-New Chicago - Large Meeting Room
Join us at the library to play Bingo! All ages are welcome to play. Winners will be able to choose from a variety of small prizes.... more
Join us at the library to play Bingo! All ages are welcome to play. Winners will be able to choose from a variety of small prizes. Please register.

Mon, Dec 29, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville - Meeting Room Whole (A & B)
The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you, all while earning... more
The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you, all while earning volunteer hours!

Mon, Dec 29, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Merrillville - Upper Level
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Mon, Dec 29, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Children's Programming Room
Children (completed grades K-5) may free build with the library's LEGO® blocks or build a 'challenge' project. Constructions will be... more
Children (completed grades K-5) may free build with the library's LEGO® blocks or build a 'challenge' project. Constructions will be displayed in the library until the next LEGO® Club meeting.
This event is full

Rescheduled
Mon, Dec 29, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
New date Monday, December 29, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Dyer-Schererville
The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you, all while earning... more
The Library is YOUR library. Help your local library create programs and initiatives that help and interest you, all while earning volunteer hours!

Mon, Dec 29, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Munster - Children's Program Room
Steel yourself for the rest of the week with Monday Night Adult D&D! We'll be following 5e rules and will be running the Out of the... more
Steel yourself for the rest of the week with Monday Night Adult D&D! We'll be following 5e rules and will be running the Out of the Abyss campaign. Beginners and experienced players welcome!
This event is full

Tue, Dec 30, 10:30am - 11:30am
Highland - Meeting Room A
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Tue, Dec 30, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Griffith-Calumet Twp - Meeting Room
Join us as we play some winter bingo and win some small prizes, while supplies last. All ability programs are geared towards adults with... more
Join us as we play some winter bingo and win some small prizes, while supplies last. All ability programs are geared towards adults with special needs. Registration required.

Cancelled
Tue, Dec 30, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Merrillville
Celebrate the new year at our Noon Year's Eve Party! There will be stories, songs, a craft, and light refreshments. Please register so... more
Celebrate the new year at our Noon Year's Eve Party! There will be stories, songs, a craft, and light refreshments. Please register so we know how many supplies to order.

Tue, Dec 30, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Merrillville - Meeting Room C
Join Kathy, a Certified Laughter Leader-Expert, for this 8-week series to relieve mental and physical discomfort by laughing!

Tue, Dec 30, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Merrillville - Small Group Room #3
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your... more
Are you having laptop, smartphone, or tablet issues? Book this one-hour session to receive individualized assistance with your technology problems. Patron must bring their device with them.

Tue, Dec 30, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Merrillville - Board Room
Meeting of the Lake County Public Library Board of Trustees