Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary loans (ILLs) are items requested from libraries outside of our Best Southwest Partnership. If the DeSoto Public Library, the Duncanville Public Library, and the Lancaster Veterans Memorial Library do not own an item that you are looking for, you can request it through the interlibrary loan process.

This process searches for items in public, academic, school, and special libraries throughout Texas. If your item is not found in Texas, the process then searches libraries throughout the United States. It may take 2 to 6 weeks for an item to be received. The Traphene Hickman Library provides this service free of charge!

To be able to request an ILL you must first have a Traphene Hickman Library card. Only Cedar Hill residents can request an ILL at the Traphene Hickman Library.

How to Request an Item

To place your request, fill out the Interlibrary Loan Request Form. This form must be filled out in it's entirety to be able to request an ILL. If ILL staff has any questions about your request, we will reach out to you. If your ILL cannot be obtained, ILL staff will notify you that your ILL has been cancelled and why.

Items that May / May Not be Requested

The following items may be requested through the interlibrary loan service:

  • Books
  • Music CDs
  • DVDs
  • Audiobooks on CD
  • Playaways
  • Magazines

The following items may not be requested through the interlibrary loan service:

  • Items published within the last year
  • Textbooks
  • Vinyl records
  • Launchpads
  • Wonderbooks
  • Micofilm/Microfiche
  • VHS tapes
  • Cassette tapes
  • Newspapers
  • Video games
  • Puzzles/Games
  • Equipment (i.e. projectors, DVD players, typewriters, etc.)
  • Technology (i.e. Rokus, tablets, laptops, etc.)

ILL Policy Highlights

  • You can request no more than 5 ILLs at one time.
  • You can have no more than 5 ILLs checked out on your account at one time.
  • ILLs may take 3 to 5 weeks to obtain.
  • ILLs might be able to be renewed depending on the owning library's policies.
  • If you want to renew your ILL, you must contact staff a week before your item is due to avoid late fees.
  • The late fee for ILLs is $1 per day. The late fee will never exceed $15.
  • If you lose or damage your ILL, you must pay the replacement cost for the item. This cost is determined by the owning library.

Alternative Option to Interlibrary Loan

If your item cannot be obtained through the interlibrary loan service, you may ask for a TexShare Card. The TexShare Card Program is made possible by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. This program allows Traphene Hickman Library cardholders and Cedar Hill residents to access materials from almost 500 participating libraries across Texas. To find or view participating Texas libraries, search here. The TexShare Card is available at any service desk and is free to obtain. Cedar Hill residents must have a Traphene Hickman Library card that is in good standing to participate.

If you find that a participating TexShare Card Program library owns the item you are interested in, you may want to call them first to make sure the item is on their shelf. You will have to drive to the owning library to check out their item with your TexShare Card. Make sure their TexShare Card policy allows you to check out the item you are interested in by calling them first. If you are able to check out their item, you MUST return it directly back to them as we cannot check the item in or send it back to them!

Contact Us

For any questions about the interlibrary loan service or TexShare Cards, please give us a call at 972-291-7323!