Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service that gives patrons access to a wider selection of library materials than may be available in a local library.  In Texas, the statewide ILL system is managed by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC).

In 2023, TSLAC solicited bids for a new online system to replace one that was being discontinued.  The bid to implement the new system, SHAREit, was awarded to Auto-Graphics, Inc.

Because of its leadership role within the Harrington Library Consortium, and because it is one of the top 50 ILL lenders in Texas, Amarillo Public Library was selected as one of the first public libraries in the state to go live with the new system.

ILL Coordinator Toshia Sanchez says there are likely to be some bumps in the road during the changeover, but the library staff is taking steps to minimize inconvenience to patrons.  “We have some patrons who use ILL quite a bit and have learned to use our website to process their own ILL requests.  While we’re transitioning to the new software, that patron portal has been deactivated so that we can find any bugs in the system and quickly work them out.  In the long run, patrons should find this less frustrating than having requests go awry because of a software issue.”

Patron requests that are already in the system are in process, and patrons can expect to receive their items as anticiapted.  The new software goes live on May 1, and delays may occur as new requests are entered into the system.  Patrons with questions or concerns are asked to email ILL@amarillolibrary.org.