ILL information

Frequently asked questions

1. I forgot my password for ILLiad. What can I do to reset it?

Email interlibrary loan and we'll reset your password (during normal business hours). Then you can change this temporary password once you can log in to ILLiad again.

2. Can I request books/articles from Interlibrary Loan during the summer months?

Of course! Interlibrary Loan operates year-round. Requests may be submitted through ILLiad at any time from any place. ILL office hours for consultation and pick-up are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. If you find it impossible to visit our office during normal business hours, call ILL at (540) 231-6344 to arrange for items to be held for you at the Circulation Desk. You may return items to the ILL book drop outside the ILL office during Newman Library Operating Hours.

3. Is there a way to get my database search results transferred directly into ILLiad?

Yes, when searching databases, keep an eye out for the link. If you see it, you should be able to get your results transferred into ILLiad by following the directions from the page. Make sure you log in to ILLiad from the Step 3 link. See more help on using .

4. Could ILLiad be integrated with journal indexes to insure that the correct materials are being requested?

We do everything we can to integrate Virginia Tech ILLiad with indexes and catalogs to be sure the information is transferred to ILLiad correctly and efficiently. Use the button whenever you see it in an index to determine your options for obtaining items.See more help on using .

5. Can a “request now” button be added to Addison for book requests to simplify the request process for Extended Campus users?

A request from ILLiad link has been implemented in Addison for extended campus users. First, you need to login to My Library Account. After logging into My Library Account, you may search as usual: by keyword, author, title, etc. When you have found a book you want, and are viewing the full record screen, you will see a link: "Extended campus users can Request from ILLiad" in the right column under External Links. Clicking on this link and then logging into ILLiad will fill in the book request form.

6. Why can’t I keep ILL books as long as I need them?

For items borrowed from another library, the duration of the loan and any restrictions on using the item is determined by the lending library. They also determine if a renewal for the item will be allowed. The Virginia Tech Interlibrary Loan Department honors all rules established by lenders. Borrowing materials from another institution is a privilege. You are expected to return books on time and to honor any restrictions on use that are stipulated by the lending library.
In general these rules may include:

• You may retain most borrowed items for at least 2 weeks. Check the sticker on your item.
• Some materials may be restricted to use only within Newman Library.
• Some materials may have restrictions against photocopying.
• Items obtained through interlibrary loan may not be put on Virginia Tech Library Reserve.

7. Why does it take so long when I return my books with the provided return labels?

It is hard to predict how fast or slow the United States Postal Service operates when a package is sent in the standard mail. However, according to their website, the return mail service can take up to eight days. Please try to plan ahead when returning a book. If the due date is approaching, allow time for the book to get to the library before or close to the due date.

8. Why does it take so long to receive items through ILL?

We process requests all day 8:00am-5:00 pm Monday through Friday and usually send requests to lenders minutes after the request is first submitted by patrons. We also check in the material 1 day (rarely 2 days) after it arrives excepting weekends when we are closed. Upwards of 85% of the time it takes to fill your request results from processing that occurs outside of Virginia Tech. This processing includes the time required for the request to be passed by the OCLC interlibrary loan system through a succession of possible lending libraries that we have identified. Once a library agrees to provide a loan or photocopy, then that library retrieves the item from its collection, produces a photocopy when necessary, and ships the item. Time in transit to Tech depends on the method chosen for shipping by the lending library. About 91% of the articles are sent to us electronically via the Internet. VIVA (Virtual Library of Virginia) consortium libraries ship most book loans by express courier services such as FedEx or UPS. Most other libraries ship books by U. S. Postal Service library rate, a much slower, though for them much less expensive, alternative.

If you have an emergency need for a document or book, please ask the interlibrary loan staff for assistance.

9. Why can’t all articles be delivered electronically?

The individual lenders determine what form the material is in when it is sent to us. They may only have an item available in microfiche or may not have the capacity to send an article electronically. Sometimes, hard copies are much easier to read than electronic copies. Copyright laws may prevent electronic transmission of restricted articles. We send you what is given to us by the lender. They determine how to distribute their material and in what form. If microfilm or microfiche are not appropriate for your location please indicate that in the notes field of the ILLiad request form. We will do everything we can to obtain the item in a format that is usable to you in your location.

10. Can my checked out Interlibrary Loan books be visible from “My Library Account” in Addison?

Not for books borrowed from other libraries. Unfortunately, Addison and ILLiad cannot work together correctly for books borrowed from other libraries to be visible. We do provide a link to ILLiad from the My Library Account screen. Virginia Tech books sent to Extended Campus Users are visible in My Library Account.

11. Can we change the circulation due date notices for Virginia Tech books sent to Extended Campus Users to a 5 or 7-day warning to replace the current 3-day warning?

Since the circulation department sends out the notices, we are talking to them about this issue. It is possible we can get this changed, but we have to get their approval.

12. Can the checkout period be extended for Virginia Tech books sent to Extended Campus Users (renewals)?

The ILL office does not have any control over the due date for books that belong to our library. The circulation length for undergraduates is 1 month. Undergraduates are allowed 4 renewals for one month each. Graduate students are allowed 6 months with three renewals. Faculty and staff get one year with three renewals. You can renew books by logging into My Library Account. A link is available in the blue bar near the top of the library home page or on any Addison page.

13. Can the checkout period be extended for ILL books borrowed from other libraries (renewals)?

Generally yes. Check the sticker on your item. If it does not indicate no renewals log into ILLiad and request the item be renewed. Please submit a renewal request at least two days before the item is due so we may contact the lending library for permission to renew. ILL will inform you via email of the new due date.

14. Can the Illiad webpage provide students an interactive tracking for the submitted requests? It would be convenient for students where their requested books are in the process.

We know when a lender ships an item to us but we have no way to know once it is shipped when we will actually receive it. We get items from USPS, UPS, Fed Ex and other services that have different shipping methods. We make sure to let you know of its arrival as soon as we get it.

15. Please return to the practice of shipping books in re-mailable boxes.

We have returned to using boxes to ship all ILL material.

16. Can the library purchase books that have been requested multiple times in ILLiad?

The subject specialists who purchase the books get periodic reports from ILLiad about books and journals that have been requested several times. They use this information to assist them in purchasing decisions. Use our online form to suggest a book be purchased.

17. Can articles written in another language be translated into English?

This is not a service that our staff or the library offers. If you do a search on the internet for "foreign language translation," there are a few websites that you can try using that may help.

18. I’m having problems accessing online journals in Addison. Where can I get help?

There is an Off Campus Sign In FAQ on the library’s website that is very helpful: If you can’t find your answer there, please contact Dave Beagle (540-231-9231).

19. I was having difficulty signing in from off campus. I cannot sign in from my school computer because of the firewall or cookies.

Talk to your local IT person about what you can do to make sure you can access online services. Also refer to the Off Campus Sign-In FAQ.

20. Students need to know the resources available to them as they start their program or research project. How can I get help navigating the library web site and making full use of library services and materials?

Although this question is outside the scope of Interlibrary Loan some suggestions for answering it are:

• All students should consider going on a Library tour, especially if they are in the Blacksburg area.
• We have extensive help for using library resources online
• A one credit, online, graduate level course, Graduate 5124, Library Research Skills, tailored to your major is available.
• The librarians at Virginia Tech have expertise in subject areas and produce web pages to guide students. You can find contact information for the subject area experts on the subject web pages.
• Use Ask a Librarian anytime to get assistance. Live help is available most hours Newman Library is open; questions submitted after hours are answered through email the following morning.