Frequently Asked Questions

We understand the thrill of finding something you're excited about and the disappointment of realizing it isn't in the collection.  Knowing the anticipation that goes along with making a request, we put together some answers for the most frequently asked questions.

Where is the interlibrary loan request form?

We now have one request form for items that aren’t in the catalog. Library staff will review each request and determine the best method to fill it.

If I request an eBook or eAudio book, will it be placed on hold for me?

Because of the way OverDrive works, we’re not able to place holds on eBooks and eAudio books. Please visit boise.overdrive.com or check your Libby app for new digital additions.

Why am I limited to one request per week?

We’ve experienced a dramatic increase in purchase and interlibrary loan requests. Unfortunately, we’ve had to limit requests in order to keep up with demand.

Why wasn’t my request filled?

There are many reasons why we might not be able to fulfill a request. These are the most common:

• The item is out of print and unavailable for purchase. (We don’t purchase used or third-party vendor items from Amazon.)
• The item is an international edition not published in the United States. (We don’t purchase from international or third-party vendors through Amazon.)
• The item is not owned by any libraries in the United States, which means we’re not able to borrow a copy through interlibrary loan.
• Libraries that own the item are unwilling to lend it out for interlibrary borrowing.
• The item is too expensive. This is often the case for eAudio books, for example. 
• The item falls outside our scope. As a public library, we don’t add highly academic or technically specialized books to our collection. These sorts of materials are more suitable for an academic library.
• The item isn’t available in the requested format. For example, many tv series, movies, and video games are released only online or for streaming, not in a physical format.