Q. How do I request a book I want that is not in the catalog?

There are a couple of ways you can request a book that is not found in our Delaware Library Catalog (https://dlc.lib.de.us).  One is to ask us to see if we can borrow it on your behalf from another library outside of the Delaware Libraries shared catalog (referred to as an Interlibrary Loan).  A quick peek at WorldCat (www.worldcat.org) can sometimes give you a clue as to the item's availability. 

Another way is to recommend a book for purchase consideration. Libraries appreciate hearing from their communities about books and items they'd like to have purchased for their collections. Each library has their own criteria and collection development policy, so they will determine the best way to acquire the item for you. 

For either an Interlibrary Loan or purchase consideration, please fill out the Ask a Librarian Delaware email web form or the Item Recommendation form* in the Delaware Library Catalog and tell us the book or item you'd like.  Let us know your library card number and your home library along with your request. 

You can also recommend eBooks/eAudiobooks for purchase consideration by following the steps on this FAQ.

Again, we are also delighted to help you with this in person, too, anytime you visit with us at one of our library locations! 

Thank you for your suggestions!  We hope to hear from you soon. 

*Item Recommendation Form – Delaware Library Catalog
The form is "found" 3 ways:

1.  After typing in a title in the search bar on the catalog home page and there are no results. 

2.  Also by clicking on “Can’t Find It” in the right-hand side of the catalog page.

3.  It can also be accessed by clicking the "button" at the very bottom of the Filters bar on the left-hand side of the catalog page that says "Item Recommendation" once a search has been initiated.