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Interlibrary Loan: Using ILLiad

Learn about what Interlibrary Loan is and how to use it

Accessing electronic copies

Once your copy request has been filled and processed, you can access it anytime from the ILLiad home page. Simply click the "View" button on the right side of the request to open the file.

A screenshot of the ILLiad home page that shows electronically received articles. The title of the request is "The organization of information: chapter 1" and is shown in the top left. Below the title is the transaction number. In the top right of the request, there are two boxes, one with an eye icon that says "view", and a closed drop down menu that says "actions". Below these boxes in the bottom right is the current status of the request, which is "delivered to web".

If there are any problems with the copy you received, such as missing pages or essential images being in black & white and unviewable, please email illdept@bucknell.edu with the transaction number and a description of the problem, and we will ask the lending library to rescan and resend the item.

IMPORTANT: 30 days after you receive an electronic copy, it will be deleted off of ILLiad, and you will no longer be able to access it there. Make sure to download the file to your computer before the 30 days are over if you plan to continue using it.

Renewing your request

If you want to keep your item past your original due date, you can request to renew your item from the ILLiad home page. Simply scroll down to your checked out items and click the Renew button on the right side of the item entry. 

A screenshot of the ILLiad home page showing titled checked out item. The example request is for the book "How to keep house while drowning: a gentle approach to cleaning and organizing" by KC Davis. The title is in the top left of the request box, with the author's name below that, and the transaction number of the request below that. In the top right are two boxes, one with a calendar emoji that says renew, and one that is an unopened drop down menu of actions. The bottom right shows the status of the request as checked out to customer and the due date to be 2/4/2023.

Once we process your renewal request and get a response from the lending library, you will get an email with the new due date and be able to see the new due date in ILLiad.

 

You can only renew requests beginning two weeks from your original due date. If you miss renewing an item before the due date passes, please keep the item with you and email illdept@bucknell.edu with the transaction number of your request (shown below the author) and ask for a renewal. You will also have to email us directly if you need to renew an item more than once. 

Keep in mind that renewals are up to the discretion of the lending library. While many libraries are willing to allow renewals, it is possible for your renewal to be denied, in which case you will have to return the item by the original due date. 

Checking on your requests

You can check on the status of your ILL request from the ILLiad home page by scrolling down to "Outstanding Requests" and clicking on the request you want to look at. This will take you to the item details. Scroll all the way to the bottom to see the tracking information for the request.

A screenshot of the ILLiad home page showing an outstanding request for the book "Organization of Information" by Daniel Joudrey. The title of the book is in the top left, with the authors name below it. The transaction number is below the authors name. In the top right there are two boxes, one that has an information icon and says "details" and a closed drop-down menu that says "actions". In the bottom right is the current status of the request, which is "Request Sent".

A screenshot of the status history of a request. On September 1st, the request was given the status of "awaiting request processing, " then "submitted by customer," then "awaiting book request processing". A few minutes later, the status changed to "request in processing," then "request sent". On September 6th, the status changed to "awaiting post receipt processing," then "in transit to pickup location," then "awaiting customer contact," then "customer notified via e-mail".. On September 19th, the item was updated to "checked out to customer". On October 5th, the item status changed to "item checked in," then "awaiting return label printing," then finally "request finished".

This example request for a book is fairly simple, and most of the status updates are only meaningful for staff to know what to do with the request. However, some of them will keep you informed on where your item is in the ILL process.

The most meaningful statuses for you to know are:

  • "Request Sent" = we have asked other libraries to provide us with the item you want
  • "Awaiting Unfilled Processing" = none of the original libraries we asked were able to supply your item. When you see "Request Sent" below this status, that means that we have resubmitted your request to a new set of libraries that may be able to provide your item
  • "Item Arrived at Library" followed by "Item Ready for Pickup" = your item has arrived, been processed, and is ready for you to pick up at the circulation desk
  • "Delivered to Web" = this is only used for electronic copy requests, and means that we have received the article or book chapter you requested, and you are now be able to view it from the ILLiad home page
  • "Request Finished" = your item has been returned and shipped back to the lending library, or your access to an electronic copy has expired
  • "Awaiting EZBorrow Search" = your request has been forwarded to one of our EZBorrow partner libraries to be filled, and will no longer be tracked in ILLiad. Once the book arrives, it will appear in your Bertrand Library account instead of ILLiad. More information on EZBorrow can be found in the "Using EZBorrow" sidebar

Other meaningful status updates you may see are:

  • "Awaiting RAPID Request Sending" followed by "Request Sent" = this is used only for electronic copy requests, and means that your request has been submitted to RapidILL, a service Bertrand subscribes to that can fill copy requests in as little as a few hours
  • "Awaiting Acquisitions Processing" = the item you requested is being purchased for the library collection, and you will be notified when it comes in and is ready to pick up
  • "Awaiting Purchase" = the electronic copy you requested was unable to be borrowed from another library and ILL staff will soon purchase a copy
  • "Awaiting Ebook Availability" = the ebook you requested has been purchased, and we are waiting for the vendor to give us access. This only takes about 2-3 days, so your ebook will be available shortly
  • "Renewed by Customer to [date]" = you have requested a renewal on your item
  • "Renewed by ILL staff to [date]" = your renewal has been processed by ILL staff
  • "Awaiting Renewal OK Processing" = the lending library has approved your renewal request
  • "Awaiting Renewal Denied Processing" = the lending library has denied the renewal request and you will have to return the item by the original due date
  • "Awaiting Extensive Searching" = no libraries that we know of were able to supply your item. ILL staff will need more time to track down possible ways to get your item
  • "Request Cancelled" = your request has been cancelled. In the item details, you will be able to see the reason it was cancelled, and any notes ILL staff have added related to the cancellation 
  • "Additional Information Needed by Lender" = a library may be able to supply your item, but has lending restrictions or needs more information to send exactly what you want. ILL staff will reach out to you if more detailed information is needed