If we don't have a title you are looking for, we can help you borrow it from another library through an interlibrary loan. 

What you can borrow

You can borrow the following types of items through our Interlibrary loan service:

  • Books, excluding those published in the current year
  • Audiobooks
  • Articles from newspapers, magazines, and journals (may be a charge for photocopying)
  • Microfilm, including items from the Archives of Ontario

Request a title

There are three ways you can request a title:

All items are shipped to our library and can be picked up at either branch.
Fees and fines

Most items are available free of charge, however some academic or specialized libraries charge a fee for the service. We will always ask your approval before borrowing these items for you at your cost.

Overdue fines are $1 per day.
Renew an item

Please check the pink Interlibrary Loan slip on your borrowed book to see if your item can be renewed.

To request a renewal, complete the ILLO renewal form or contact our Information Staff at least 7 days before the due date.
Repeat a request
You can request identical items after a 6-month period. Some items may not be available for a repeat loan depending on where they come from.
Cancel your request
You can cancel a request by email or by phone 705-745-5382 ext 2340.

Self-serve Interlibrary Loans

The Peterborough Public Library makes interlibrary loan requests through the Information Network for Ontario online system  Zportal.

If you would like to submit requests on your own without staff assistance, please use the ILLO Registration Form.  You will be sent an email with your login information within 4 business days.

Once you are registered you may make your own requests and cancellations. If you have any trouble placing your requests or checking the status of your requests please contact the Information Desk.

Visit Zportal

Tips and help

You can watch a quick tutorial to help you navigate the system, or follow the basic instructions below. For more detailed procedures please see the online manual.

Requesting items
  1. Sign in to the Zportal using your User ID and password sent to you when you registered.
  2. Choose Peterborough Public Library as your library location from the Authentication Service drop down menu.
  3. Select SOLS Rideau South under the "Current Profile" drop down menu.
  4. Search for the item you want to request. If you don't find any matches searching SOLS Rideau South profile, try another profile such as SOLS Bruce/Wellington or SOLS Toronto/Kawartha/401 Area.
  5. Select an item from your search results by choosing “Select Details.”
  6. Please make sure that the item you have chosen has an ISBN number listed in the record. Without an ISBN, we will need to handle your request manually, which may delay delivery of your item.
  7. Select “Get it!” to place the request.
  8. Selecting your preferred Pickup Location from the drop down menu at the bottom.
  9. Click “Request” to send your request.

Creating unique requests

If you have a unique request, would like to request microfilm or if you cannot find your item, you can still submit your request by choosing Create Request from the menu bar on the left. Fill in as much information as you have available - ISBN for a book, a reel number for a microfilm, or a volume or issue number for a periodical are very helpful.

Checking the status of your interlibrary loan

Once you have submitted a request you can check its status by signing into your Zportal account. It usually takes 2-4 weeks to receive an interlibrary loan, and you will be notified when it is available for pick up.

Please do not resubmit your request.