Rapid delivery of library materials


LINKin is a new service provided by a grant-funded partnership between the Gail Borden Public Library, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, Skokie Public Library, Elgin Community College, and the College of DuPage. The service offers quick access to the collections of the partner libraries when materials are not available at Gail Borden Public Library. If an item is not available for checkout at Gail Borden Public Library and is available at one of the partner libraries, the item will be sent to Gail Borden Public Library within three or four days. Patrons will be notified by phone or email when the item is ready for pickup.

Gail Borden Public Library cardholders can use LINKin to request items that are checked out or not owned by Gail Borden Public Library. However, new materials, DVDs, and videos CANNOT be borrowed through the LINKin service.

How does LINKin work?

1. Search the Gail Borden Public Library catalog to see if the item is available for checkout.
2. If the item is not available, click on the Item not available? Search LINKin libraries icon to pass your search on to the LINKin catalog.
3. If a partner library has the item, the LINKin catalog will display a catalog record for the item, the number of libraries that own it, and a Request this Item link.
4. Click on the Request this Item link.
5. If the item is available for checkout, the catalog will request the name of the library with which you are affiliated. Select Gail Borden from the drop-down menu and then click the Submit above information button.
6. Next, type your name and Gail Borden Public Library card barcode number in the spaces provided. Click the SUBMIT button.
7. If your request is successful, the catalog will display "your request was successful" and the transaction is complete. Gail Borden Public Library will notify you when the item is ready for pickup.
8. If the item is not available for borrowing from one of the LINKin partner libraries, the catalog will display an explanation.

For example: