Beyond the Catalog

Requesting an Item that is not in the WCLS Library Catalog

We welcome requests for items that are not in our catalog.
Your request for a specific item will be considered for
purchase or free interlibrary loan (borrowed from another
library) by the Whatcom County Library System.

If we find the item, you can pick it up at one of the WCLS branch libraries.

Have you checked the catalog?

If you haven’t looked in our catalog yet, click here.

Bellingham or Fairhaven patron?

Click here for your options.

Time Frame

Keep in mind that it may take three to six weeks to supply your request, or longer in some cases. If you need it sooner, please call the Reference Center at 360-354-4883.

Items may be requested up to six months prior to publication.

Our policy for purchasing and borrowing DVD’s is more restrictive than for other library materials. Also, we do not borrow CD-ROM games or whole issues of magazines from other libraries.

Number of requests

To help us provide an equal level of service to all users, please limit your requests to approximately five per week or 20 per month.

Want more information on a subject, rather than a specific title?

Call your local library, or the Reference Center.

Would you like more help with how this process works?

Click here for detailed help regarding our Interlibrary Loan process.