Western Libraries provides Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service to all current faculty, students and staff. This service is provided through an electronic system separate from your OneSearch account called ILLiad. ILLiad allows users to submit and track requests for PDFs of book chapters and articles, and for loanable items such as books and DVDs. You can also recommend a purchase for our collection through ILLiad.
To access ILLiad, log in below using your WWU Universal Login. If this is your first time logging in you will be prompted to complete a user profile.
Who can use ILL?
The Resource Sharing office supports the research needs of current WWU faculty, students, and staff. We regret that we cannot offer Resource Sharing service to alumni, inactive students, University retirees, Courtesy/Community Card holders, and others not affiliated directly with WWU. These users should seek Resource Sharing assistance from their local libraries.
What can I borrow?
The ILL department will attempt to borrow any item requested, but some materials can be hard to obtain, such as:
- Video and audio recordings (request audio visual materials through ILLiad using the Book Request Form)
- Reference materials (dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases, etc.)
- Standardized tests and testing manuals
- Requests for books that can be identified as "textbooks" will not be filled
- Books published in the last 6 months or before 1880
- Theses and dissertations (please see our Dissertation LibGuide for additional help and info)
- Conference papers that have not been published
Are there fees associated with using ILL?
- Western Libraries does not pass on the cost of providing interlibrary loan to its users. We want to keep providing this service for free, so please make requests thoughtfully.
- Late fees do accrue at a rate of $0.50 per day to a maximum of $15.00.
- After an item is 25 days overdue a $90.00 lost materials charge is added to your library circulation account.
How long does it take to get something through interlibrary loan?
- PDFs are often delivered through your ILLiad account in 1 or 2 working days.
- For photocopies, allow for a minimum of 5-10 working days, though they can arrive faster.
- For books and other loanables, allow for 10-15 working days. Most books are shipped "library rate" or media mail. Faster service is possible by using Summit for books or other loanable materials.
Is there an easy way to transfer data into ILLiad forms?
When possible, use the FindIt button which displays in most of our online databases and resources. If the item you are after is not available locally or electronically, a link to ILLiad will appear as an option in the FindIt window. By submitting your ILLiad requests in this way most of the required bibliographic data is passed into the ILLiad request form.
How many requests can I make through ILL?
Undergraduates are allowed 6 active requests at any one time. An active request is any request not at one of these ILLiad statuses - Finished, Cancelled or Delivered to Web. Undergraduates at their limit can consult the Research-Writing Studio about other available resources. Faculty, graduate students, and Extended and Outreach Education students have no limit.
How can I tell the status of my ILLiad Request?
The current status of any ILLiad request can be viewed by logging into your ILLiad account. See our
Explanation of ILLiad Statuses for detailed descriptions of what each status means.
How will I get notified that my book or article has arrived?
All ILL users are notified by e-mail when a PDF or a physical item is available to access or pick up. Physical materials are held for 10 days and can be picked up at the Main Circulation Desk on Haggard 2, after which materials are returned to our lenders. A $5.00 fee is charged for any unclaimed items.
Can I renew my ILL books?
Books, videos, etc. borrowed through ILLiad can be renewed once unless it has a "No Renewal" label below the due date on the item and within 5 days of the due date. To request a renewal, log in to your ILLiad account, click on the "View or Renew Checked Out Items" button and select the items you wish to renew. You will be given a new due date 21 days from the original date (pending confirmation from the lender). The ILL staff will only contact you if your request is denied or the due date granted by the lender is less than 21 days.
Once an item has become overdue it cannot be renewed.
Can ILL materials be delivered to me?
You can find more complete information about document delivery
here.What if I forget my username or password?
ILLiad uses your WWU Universal Login (Username and Password). If you've forgotten your password or it has expired, you can contact the ATUS Help Desk at x3333 or use the Universal Password change function at
http://west.wwu.edu/atus/web/password.shtml.
What are my responsibilities as an ILL user?
The success of ILL sharing depends on Western Libraries’ ability to maintain amicable relationships with other institutions. As an ILLiad user you are responsible for the timely return of all borrowed materials. The due dates and use limitations assigned to these items are stipulated by the lending library and can range from a few days to several weeks. Books, microforms, videos, and other items returned in poor condition may result in a replacement fee which will be added to your library account.
What is Summit?
Summit is a resource sharing program maintained by the Orbis Cascade Alliance; Western Libraries is one of 37 libraries in the Alliance that share library materials free of charge. It generally takes 3-5 business days for a Summit item to arrive at Western from the lending library. Books can be checked out for 6 weeks and media items can be checked out for 6 days. Summit items cannot be renewed. You can search the Summit catalog and make requests by using OneSearch.
Who do I contact if I have problems with or questions about ILLiad?
Interlibrary Loan: (360) 650-3076 Monday - Friday 7:30am to 5:00pm. Email -
ILLiad@wwu.edu
Research-Writing Studio: (360) 650-3219. Email –
rws@wwu.edu
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