The Library Services team provides leadership to Wisconsin libraries on resource sharing practices and procedures, and guidance on current and future policies, as well as access and support to Wisconsin's resource sharing platform, WISCAT. DPI staff coordinate interlibrary loan service for Wisconsin libraries, act as a clearinghouse for requests created on WISCAT, refer requests to the OCLC on behalf of WISCAT libraries, and troubleshoot requests from WISCAT libraries.
Statewide interlibrary loan is a cooperative mechanism for connecting Wisconsin library users with needed information and resources that are not available through local libraries or consortia. The goal is to equalize and optimize access to library collections across the state. It is a network of all types of libraries designed to identify, request, and obtain materials for users in a manner responsive to fiscal, logistical, and local concerns.
Wisconsin Interlibrary Loan Guidelines
Interlibrary loan is a core library service, and a major means of maximizing access, equity, and inclusion. The Wisconsin Interlibrary Loan Guidelines reflect the expectations of library staff and patrons participating in interlibrary loan within Wisconsin. These guidelines outline best practices in interlibrary loan statewide. Following the guidelines will best serve library users while making the statewide interlibrary loan system manageable for library staff. It is understood that consortia and libraries in shared automated systems will develop their own interlibrary loan policies.
Kits available for loan throughout Wisconsin
Please see the WISCAT documentation page for book club kits and early literacy kits information.
WISCAT: Wisconsin's Resource Sharing Platform
WISCAT is one way Wisconsin's libraries of all types can discover and share materials through interlibrary loan. Libraries can become WISCAT members to search for items, request materials, and loan their materials to other participating libraries, all within the WISCAT platform. WISCAT also enables libraries to download MARC records for use in a local online catalog.
The WISCAT platform is highly customizable, and local workflows and policies vary from library to library. For example, a library may submit requests for materials but have another library or agent (such as their public library system) monitor their incoming requests. A library may also choose to activate mediated patron-initiated requesting for its patrons to create their own requests and monitor their status. Please Contact Us for assistance with training, customization, and workflows. Public libraries may also wish to consult their library systems for guidance at the system level.
WISCAT Documentation
View the WISCAT documentation page for more information on cataloging, how-tos, user group meeting notes, tips for resolving routine borrowing issues, and requesting WISCAT training.
Need WISCAT assistance? Contact WISCAT staff.
Connect with your community!
Subscribe for news about WISCAT updates, procedures, best practices, and training opportunities and resources. The intended audience for the WISCAT ILL emails is Wisconsin library staff who use the WISCAT platform for interlibrary loan.
Subscribe and unsubscribe to WISCAT ILL on the DPI website.
The new WISCAT ILL list is a public, one-way communication list. When you need feedback or information from your WISCAT ILL community, please contact us to share your message with the WISCAT ILL subscribers.
WISCAT is Supported with Federal Funds
The WISCAT platform contributes to the nearly 15 million interlibrary loan (ILL) transactions performed annually at libraries across Wisconsin. These ILL transactions efficiently connect Wisconsin library users with information beyond their library’s local collection to the broader Wisconsin-Minitex network of catalogs and collections across the country. The interlibrary loan support provided by the WISCAT system, DPI interlibrary loan librarians, the WISCAT technical coordinator, and the ILL coordinator is made possible through a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. WISCAT is a smart investment.