General Information | Requesting Books | Requesting Articles

General Information

Who may use Interlibrary Loan services?

We provide interlibrary loan services (ILL) for Millikin University students, faculty and alumni. Others should request ILL services at their own public or academic libraries.

ILL requests can be self-initiated for books you find in the I-Share Online Catalog, as well as for books and articles you find in our OCLC FirstSearch brand databases. The "Find It!" feature available in many of our online databases also includes an online ILL form. All other ILL requests must be submitted at the Circulation Desk using our yellow (for books) or green (for articles) cards.

How long will it take?

Self-initiated requests in I-Share and OCLC databases are automatically processed immediately. Our ILL staff processes card-based requests within 24 to 36 hours.

Regardless of how initiated, the average turn-around time for article requests is 9 days for articles and about 5 days for books. However, depending upon the time of year (early and late semesters are not as busy as mid-semester), requests can take from 1 to 4 weeks to be filled.

Although we have a high ILL success rate, some requests cannot be filled at all, or cannot be filled in a timely fashion relative to your deadlines. We will notify you in either case.

How will you know when a request arrives?

Regardless of how the request was initiated, you will be notified by e-mail, phone, or mail when your item(s) arrive at the library. To pick up your items, please present your ID at the Staley Library Circulation Desk.

• Books: Must be returned to Staley Library by the due date given by the lending library.

• Articles: Unless otherwise indicated, periodical articles are yours to keep.

What will it cost?

Usually nothing. We always attempt to find libraries that lend at no cost, and most of the time we are successful. However, any costs incurred by our library will be passed on to you. There is a place on the request form for you to indicate how much you are willing to pay.

Further questions? E-mail Interlibrary Loan (ill@mail.millikin.edu) or call 3560 (on campus), 424-3560 (off campus). 
However, questions only, as requests cannot be accepted through e-mail.

General Information | Requesting Books | Requesting Articles

Book Requests

Self-initiated (books found in I-Share):

• Click on the Request button (on the upper toolbar) when you have located the item you wish to ILL.

• You will asked to log into Renew Books/My Account.

• Select Millikin as your home library.

• Your library ID number is: 21111[your seven-digit Millikin ID number]00. Example: 21111034567800 (original ID number was 00345678).

• If the computer responds that you have too many digits, eliminate one of the zeros at the beginning of the number on your ID.

• You will be asked for your last name as well.

• Click OK after notice to "Request first available copy."

• Fill in your library ID again in the "Library Borrower ID" blank on the form presented. Alter the "Not needed after" date as desired and click Submit.

• You will be notified by e-mail when the item is received.

Self-initiated (books found in OCLC Worldcat):

• Click on ILL (button in the upper, left portion of screen) when you have located the item you wish to ILL.

• Fill out the requested information. (The red starred fields must be filled in).

• Click on submit.

• FirstSearch will indicate if the request was successful or not.

Items not found on I-Share or OCLC Worldcat:

• Fill out a yellow Book Request card (located at circulation) with as much information as possible.

• Bring the card to the circulation desk and show your Millikin ID.

Please note: We can promise to process immediately only three book requests from one person per day.

General Information | Requesting Books | Requesting Articles

Article Requests

Self-initiated when using FirstSearch databases:

• Click on ILL (button in the upper, left portion of screen).

• Fill out the requested information. (The red starred fields must be filled in).

• Click on submit.

• FirstSearch will indicate if the request was successful or not.

Articles available in full text format from periodical databases subscribed to by Staley Library may not be requested via interlibrary loan.

Self-initiated when using services:

• In the periodical databases, if the article you need has no full text option and is not available in print at Staley Library, select the Find It! button.

• If Find It! does not present any alternative full text options, select the Go button next to "Request article via Interlibrary Loan" option.

• Fill out the requested information. (The red starred fields must be filled in).

• Click on Send Request.

Articles available in print format in periodicals subscribed to by Staley Library may not be requested via interlibrary loan.

Or, you may follow these steps:

• Use the green cards.

• Attach a copy of the article information (citation), if at all possible. You may include either a computer printout or a photocopy of the bibliography where you located it.

• If a copy is not available, fill in the source of information, including the index title, year, and page number where the citation was found. We must be able to verify the citation to order the article.

• Fill out the personal information on the reverse of the card.

• Indicate what you are willing to pay for the article, should there be a charge.

• By signing the card it is assumed that you agree to the statement regarding copyright and that the copy will be used for your private study, scholarship, or research only.

• Turn cards in at circulation desk. You must present your Millikin ID.

Please note: We can promise to process immediately only three article requests from one person per day.

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