I might be writing about something obvious here, but I wanted to make sure that everyone interested in the book club knows about Interlibrary Loan. If you looked for The Dirt on Clean at your local branch and it isn’t available, I think there might still be hope (although you can get it for $5 with shipping from Amazon).
Using Worldcat I can see that there are 921 versions of this book in libraries throughout the world, and since I don’t think there are over 900 people wanting to join my book club I’m hoping we can round up more copies (and I’d like to read some other slightly obscure books in the future so it would be nice if we could figure this out).
Through the Dallas library that I still have a membership with, I am able to log on to something called ILLiad which allows me to look for titles available at libraries throughout the United States. I can place 10 requests at a time, check-out periods are determined by the library the book is coming from (varies between two-four weeks), and best of all, there is no cost for me to search and receive a book from halfway across the country!
I’m no expert in the public library system, but if you have trouble finding books for the TW Book Club at your local library you might talk to the librarian to find out if you can access something similar to the ILLiad system that the Irving library has.
I’ll definitely keep this trouble in mind when I present option for voting in the future, but hopefully this post will help a few people secure the book for free. If you know anything about the ILL system please leave a note below so we can all better understand how it works!
September 20th, 2010 on 8:48 am
Hey! I work in interlibrary loan. I always get funny looks when I try to explain to people that yes, typically, they can get a book they’re interested in for free from a different library, shipped right to their local one. It’s amazing how many people are unaware of such a great resource!! Thanks for helping spread the word.
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Jenna Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 11:39 am
So I did a good job explaining it? I was thrilled when I realized how powerful it can be!
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Julie Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
You did! Some libraries use ILLiad, but there are a lot of others out there as well, so the best thing people could really do is just ask their local (or campus) library staff what kinds of resources they have access to. I’m in Minnesota and we have really great info resources that go even beyond ILL to stuff like a state-wide electronic library (www.elm4you.org)!
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September 20th, 2010 on 9:21 am
I’ll let my husband know this, he is in love with getting books from the library.
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September 20th, 2010 on 9:49 am
I use to work in a library so I would like to add that:
Almost every library should participate in ILL (even college libraries). You might have to call because not every library offers an online version.
A lot of times libraries will have special small regional ILLs with nearby states, cities, and colleges. It’s usually quicker than ILL.
It is usually free, but some libraries do charge a small fee.
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September 20th, 2010 on 11:17 am
My library charges $0.50 to request and receive books from other libraries in the system, but I doubt $0.50 is a problem for most people
Totally worth it in my opinion!
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September 20th, 2010 on 11:26 am
Downstate in Illinois we have the “Lincoln Trails” interlibrary loan system. It works the same way as what you described, only it just goes between the libraries in central Illinois (but I believe it’s something like over 100 libraries, which is plenty to receive anything I’ve ever looked for!). It’s especially great for those that live in small communities with libraries that are teensy tiny (like the one in my town!), because the possibilities are endless when you use the loan system!
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September 20th, 2010 on 12:28 pm
I just had to say - I am a librarian and I love that you talked about interlibrary loan and WorldCat!
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September 20th, 2010 on 1:01 pm
I saw how cheap it was as well and it is seriously testing my resolve to not buy any new books
I need to see if my local library has it first, then I’ll check into ILL. I loved using it in college. Thank you for writing about it and letting other people know about it!
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September 20th, 2010 on 1:33 pm
Looks like a good idea! I have looked at my library website, but can’t seem to find the place to request books, so I’m going to stop by some time this week.
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September 20th, 2010 on 2:14 pm
The library makes my book habit affordable!
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September 20th, 2010 on 3:54 pm
I’m a librarian too-thanks for mentioning ILL!
It’s how I got all of the wedding planning books I wanted, and then all the puppy parenting books, and now all the (people) parenting books.
It’s how a lot of people who homeschool are able to supplement their curriculum so well while spending a minimum of money.
And, it’s how I listen to just about any audiobook I want for free! (well, after taxes, of course).
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September 20th, 2010 on 5:43 pm
I think it’s so cool that we have access to things like this through our local libraries. I’ll have to keep this in mind for future book club books.
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September 20th, 2010 on 10:09 pm
Swaptree.com is also an amazing source for books on the cheap, it allows you to swap books you already own for books that you want to read, all you pay is shipping, it’s pretty awesome.
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September 21st, 2010 on 12:36 pm
I have used this program before and I find it wonderful. People don’t realize just how useful our library’s have become today. I go there for books on tape for long trips as well as movies. way cheaper than the other options like blockbuster.
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