Who may request interlibrary loan services?
We provide interlibrary loan services (ILL) for Millikin University students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
How do I place interlibrary loan requests?
I-Share is the online catalog used to request most books and other returnable items needed through Interlibrary Loan. These items can be requested directly by Millikin patrons, making this the quickest, easiest way to get books and other returnable items.
ILLiad is the interlibrary loan management system used by Millikin. Any needed ILL item not found in I-Share, or articles not available at Millikin, should be requested using ILLiad. This system allows you to keep track of your requests and item due dates. Articles requested are made available electronically through your ILLiad account for 30 days. You will need to register your ILLiad account the first time you use it.
Items can be requested while searching the periodical databases and WorldCat found through the library homepage. To request items, click on the "Find It" button and follow these steps.
Requests for items found from a citation may be added manually through ILLiad: log in to ILLiad using the link above, linked in my.millikin.edu, or found on the library's homepage. Then fill in a blank for the article, book, or other item under "Create New Request."
How long will it take?
These speeds depend on the availability of the item and where the item is located. It takes returnable items longer to arrive from California than from Chicago.
- The average time it takes to receive an article is 2 days, but it could be as fast as a few hours or as slow as 2-3 weeks.
- Returnable items requested through the I-Share catalog take an average of 4 days, but could be as fast as 2 days or as slow as 2 weeks.
- Returnable items requested through ILLiad/WorldCat take an average of 8 days, but could be as fast as 3 days or as slow as 3 weeks.
How will I know when my request arrives?
You will be notified by e-mail. Returnable items must be picked up at the Staley Library Circulation desk. Article requests will be sent to your ILLiad account electronically. They are available for 30 days to print, download, etc.
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. You will be notified before any ILL with an associated cost is made for you.
What loan periods can I expect? How many renewals can I have?
Loan periods and renewal policies for items borrowed through the I-Share catalog are summarized on this website. I-Share renewals can be requested online, though your I-Share catalog account. Items borrowed through ILLiad will vary in their loan periods and renewal policies, as determined by the owning library. ILLiad renewals should be requested through our interlibrary loan department, please call 217-424-3560 or email ill@millikin.edu and provide as much detail as possible, including your name, the title of the item, transaction number, and the original due date. Failure to return items by the due date may result in charges and/or the loss of ILLiad borrowing privileges.
Can I get my textbooks through interlibrary loan?
We understand that textbooks are expensive. However, you cannot rely on ILL to replace textbook purchases for several reasons:
- Interlibrary loan items are not usually available for the entire semester. Loan periods are set by the lending library and are generally for 3-4 weeks (but may be shorter or longer). Renewals may or may not be available depending on the loaning library. Any fees, fines, or other charges are the responsibility of the patron borrowing the item, and may result in consequences such as borrowing and requesting blocks to your account.
- Not many libraries buy what are considered to be textbooks. Therefore, there is often much competition for the copies that are available.
- Available copies may not be the edition required for your course.
If your textbook is prohibitively expensive, please check with your professor to ask whether they will be placing a copy on reserve for the course in the library.
Can I get the latest bestseller I'm dying to read through ILL?
New items, especially best sellers, may not be immediately available through interlibrary loan because libraries need time to acquire and process materials. Also, many libraries have policies which limit the use of new materials to their own patrons only.
Can I put ILL books and videos on reserve for my class?
Sorry, items that have been requested and checked out to you through interlibrary loan, such as books and videos, may not be placed on reserve (in accordance with the Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States Explanatory Supplement, section 4.4).
Further questions?
If you have any questions or problems using I-Share or ILLiad, please contact Interlibrary Loan via phone at 217-424-3560 or email at ill@millikin.edu or call the library at 217-424-6214.