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What is Interlibrary Loan?
What can I request through ILL?
How do I submit a request?
How many items can I request?
Requirements for a speedy process:
How much does ILL cost?
How long does it take to receive my request?
How will I know when my request has arrived
How do I read my e-mailed article ("Ariel")?
How long can I keep the material? Can I renew them?
Who do I get more help with ILL?

What is Interlibrary Loan?
Interlibrary Loan is a service provided to USI students, faculty and staff that provides access to materials not available at USI's Rice Library. If the library does not own a specific item, it can often be borrowed from another library.

What can I request through Interlibrary Loan?
Books, journal articles, and book chapters are usually available through ILL. Videos, reference materials, dissertations and masters theses may be requested, but are often either (1) not available for loan, or (2) incur additional charges. Requests for textbooks required for USI classes will not be processed. It is difficult to locate available copies of textbooks and the length of the loan (average is 2-3 weeks) makes them unusable for a 16-week course.

How do I submit a request?

1. Verify that Rice Library does not own the item.
   
   • For books and videos, search the Online Catalog, available at http://library.usi.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=bbSearch .
   
   
   
   • For journals, magazines, and newspapers, check the "Journal Finder " database (www.usi.edu/library/dbases/DB_page.htm).
   
   
   
   • If Rice Library does not own the item, continue to step 2.
     
     
2. Fill out one of the request forms below. Include your contact information and everything you know about the book, article, etc.
   

Copy Request Form
Articles and chapters from books

Loan Request Form
Books, videos and dissertations/theses

3. Your request will be submitted to ILL staff at Rice Library, and processed within 3 working days.

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How many items can I request?

Graduate and undergraduate students can submit up to 100 requests per academic year (fall, spring, summer). Faculty and staff can submit unlimited requests each academic year. Retired faculty members must pay ½ of all incurred charges. Each request in excess of the yearly limit requires a $5.00 processing fee (includes all faculty, staff and student requests). Courtesy card holders, including USI alumni, may check out 3 books from Rice Library. In order to place an ILL request, however, courtesy card holders should use their local public library.

Requirements for a speedy process:

• Clear library fines and return overdue items. Students: Your ILL request(s) will not be processed if you have overdue items and/or unpaid fines of $5 or higher.



• Provide complete, correct citations.



• Include the ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) for articles, or ISBN (International Standard Book Number) for books, if available.



• Include your USI e-mail address (xxxxxxxx@usieagles.org for students, xxxxxxxx@usi.edu for faculty and staff).

How much does ILL cost?

There is no processing fee for each request, but in order to keep costs manageable, patrons may be asked to split any lending or copyright fees.

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How long does it take to receive an ILL?

Generally, 3-21 days. Arrival time varies depending on whether the item is available, where it is located, and how it is being shipped. It may arrive as quickly as 3 days or take longer than 20 days. Planning ahead is essential!

How will I know when my request has arrived?

Books, videos, and dissertations/theses (LOANS)

• You will be contacted via your USI email account (xxxxxxxx@usi.edu for faculty and staff; xxxxxxxx@usieagles.org for students)



• Faculty, staff, and students must present a USI ID at the checkout counter to check out ILL items.

Articles and chapters from books (COPIES)

• Faculty and staff are notified via their USI email account (xxxxxxxx@usi.edu). Copies received electronically are posted online via "Ariel." Copies received through the mail are sent through campus mail to your campus office.



• Students are notified via their USI email account (xxxxxxxx@usieagles.org). Copies received electronically are posted online via "Ariel." If a print copy is received through the mail, the student is notified that it is available for pick-up at the checkout counter.

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How do I read my e-mailed article ("Ariel")?

1. Open the email message from USI titled "Automated Document Delivery Notification." It contains a case-sensitive PIN number and a link to the Ariel web site.
2. Make note of the PIN number in brackets, and click on the URL.
3. The article is viewed using Adobe Acrobat.* If Adobe is installed on your computer, enter your USI email address and PIN number.
4. Your document should appear as a PDF in the Adobe window.
5. Since the time and viewing of "Ariel" articles is limited, immediately print or save the article. Use the print and save options within the Adobe window.

* You need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your PC in order to print/download the article. The URL for a free download of this software is provided in your email.

How long can I keep ILLs? Can I renew them?
Loan periods are decided by the lending library, which may or may not grant renewals. Usually, you can keep a book for 3 weeks. Copies are yours to keep. "Ariel" articles are available for 5 viewings or 2 weeks, whichever comes first. To request a renewal, email libill@usi.edu, or call 812/465-1683 Mon-Fri 8:00 am-4:30 pm.

How can I get more help with ILL?

Contact Rice Library's Reference Desk (812/464-1907) for assistance verifying whether the library owns your needed item. For information regarding the status of your request, or to request a renewal on a borrowed ILL item, call ILL staff (812/465-1683) Mon-Fri 8:00 am-4:30 pm, or email libill@usi.edu.

Last Updated 01/08/07