Inter-Library Loan for Riverdale Public Library Patrons

Learn about our MAIN Library Alliance and Open Borrowing which gives patrons access to thousands of items throughout New Jersey.

Interlibrary loan (ILL) through the MAIN Library Alliance lets you borrow materials that your home library doesn’t own by requesting them from another library in the system. Here’s how it works and what to expect:

How it works

  • Search: Begin by searching your home library’s catalog. If an item isn’t available, you can use the MAIN Library Alliance shared catalog to find the item at another participating library.

  • Processing: A lending library that owns the item agrees to lend it and ships it to your home library.

  • Arrival: You’re notified (phone, email, or text, depending on your preferences) when the item is available for pick-up at your home library.

  • Borrowing period: Loan periods are the same regardless of the library. Your home library will tell you the due date and any renewal options.

  • Returns: Return the item to your home library or any MAIN Library within the library alliance. Your library will return it to the lending library when due.

  • Renewals and overdue items: Renewals are subject to the lender’s approval. Overdue fines, replacement costs for lost or damaged items, and other fees are set by the lending library and applied by your home library.

How to start

  • Ask staff at your home library or use their online catalog to research items available at Libraries within the MAIN Library alliance. If for some reason the item is not available anywhere, you may complete an ILL to request from a library outside of the alliance. Please note that there is no guarantee that the library will honor the request we send them.

  • For more information about the MAIN Library Alliance, contact your library or visit the MAIN Library Alliance website or download their brochure here.

Riverdale Public Library (Morris County, NJ) can help you find the item you are looking to borrow or with ILL requests. Visit your local library or call us at 973-835-5044 for assistance.

Open Borrowing

Open Borrowing is a program where libraries in Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and parts of Warren, Union, Monmouth, Hudson, Essex, and Somerset Counties agree to recognize cards from other systems for reciprocal borrowing in person. Over 150 towns in the 10 county area participate.

Please be aware that if you borrow a book in another county you must return it to a participating library in that county.