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Interlibrary Loans

Placing Interlibrary Loan Requests Using MnLINK

Important Tip

Always check the Saint Paul Public Library catalog before requesting items through MnLINK.

Using MnLINK

1. Go to the MnLINK Gateway (www.mnlinkgateway.org)

2. Click Sign In

3. Type in your Library Card Barcode number

No PIN/Password is needed for Saint Paul Public Library cards and for those issued by most public libraries

4. Choose a Pick Up Location

To pick up at Saint Paul Public Library, select:

My Library - if you are using Saint Paul library card barcode number

St. Paul Public Library - if you are using a non-Saint Paul library card barcode number

5. Search Library Catalogs for books, media, journal titles.

Search by Keyword or click Advanced Search for more options. When using Advanced Search, leave the Refinement option Off.

Select or de-select library catalogs to search by clicking the checkboxes in front of the library's or system's name.

Enter terms and click Search. (Note: Keep your search simple. MnLINK searches library catalogs statewide that use a variety of ways of cataloging items. Less-complicated searches will likely yield more results.)

6. After the records are displayed:

click Details to see more information about individual items

click Save to add to a list of items

click Get it! to place a request for the item

7. To request the item, click Get it!, then click Request via ILL.

A request form will display with information for the request item filled in.

If you want to enter additional information to limit the search (for example, if you specifically want a DVD or a specific volume or specific edition), enter the information after the item's title in the Title field.

Enter any other special instructions in the Special Instructions box.
(Note: this will make the request a staff-mediated request, which will increase the time it takes for the request to be filled.)

The This item not needed after field is automatically set to six months from the date of the request. If you need the item before that time, modify the date using this format:
DD MMM YYYY (e.g. 16 APR 2005).

8. Select a pickup location from the dropdown menu in the middle of the screen.

9. Click Submit.

10. Click Sign Out when you are finished.

Additional Information

Customers are limited to 10 requests at any one time, including new requests, pending requests, and filled requests currently on loan.

Saved lists will be kept on the MnLINK server for 30-45 days.

Customers may cancel Interlibrary Loan requests placed through MnLINK.

Please call, e-mail, or consult Library staff for assistance with census microfilm requests. Images of census records are also available through Ancestry Library, available at all Saint Paul Public Library locations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Interlibrary Loan services.

Copyright 2002-2008, Saint Paul Public Library - 90 W. 4th Saint Paul, MN 55102
Questions or comments: 651-266-7000 / Ask a Librarian

Melanie Huggins, Library Director | Library Board
An Agency of the City of Saint Paul - Christopher B. Coleman, Mayor
Media Relations: Sheree Savage / 651-266-7029

Webmaster: SPPLWeb@ci.stpaul.mn.us