innlånsbiblioteket

Innlånsbiblioteket is a library that administers the interlibrary loan (innlån) service within a library system. It acts as a central hub for requests from member libraries and their patrons, coordinating borrowing and lending of materials that are not available locally. Through the innlånsbiblioteket, an item located at another library can be borrowed and made accessible to the user at their home library.

In operation, a patron asks for a book, article, or other item not held by their home library. Staff submit an innlån request to the innlånsbiblioteket, which searches partner libraries, negotiates lending terms, and arranges shipment or digital delivery. The lending library determines loan periods and restrictions; the item is typically returned after the loan ends, and the home library handles overdue management. Some systems offer digital copies of journal articles or scans where allowed by copyright.

Access is typically available to registered library users; the home library may require an active account and adherence to the library's lending rules. Not all materials can be lent via interlibrary loan—for example, new releases, rare items, or reference materials may be restricted. Delivery times vary, often ranging from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on distance and partner libraries.

Benefits include expanded access to a broader range of materials, support for research and study, and optimized use of collective holdings. Limitations include longer wait times, possible costs, and item availability. Interlibrary loan networks are commonly organized as consortia or regional networks, of which innlånsbiblioteket is a key operational node.