Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about ILLiad

What is ILLiad?

ILLiad is the electronic system you use to request an item through Interlibrary Loan. The name ILLiad can be thought of as an acronym for InterLibrary Loan internet accessible database.

What is the Purpose of Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary Loan is a cooperative resource sharing service that allows GSU current students, faculty, and staff to borrow materials from other libraries within the United States. This service allows GSU patrons to request research materials such as books, photocopies of chapter, digital scanned journal articles that our library does not own or have the rights to electronic access. Before making a request, please check our online catalog to make sure we do not own an item before requesting it through ILL. Materials borrowed through Interlibrary Loan are short-term loans, usually 3-4 weeks. All interlibrary loan materials are courtesy loans from lending institutions.

How is ILLiad better than traditional ILL systems?

  1. You will find it easier to submit your interlibrary loan requests. With ILLiad, you enter your name, address, and other personal information into the system only once, at the time of your first request.
  2. Your request will be handled more rapidly and accurately as problems relating to misinterpretation of hand-written requests are eliminated.
  3. You can get many of your articles more quickly through Electronic Delivery.
  4. You can get information about the status of your request through the Web at any time from any location without having to call the ILL Department.
  5. Library personnel are able to serve you better because all data about your request and its handling is stored in a searchable database. We are able to respond quickly to your inquiries about your request. We are also able to gather statistical information about the performance of the libraries that lend to us, enabling us to make better decisions when choosing a lender to supply an item.

Are there any disadvantages to the electronic system?

Some people might find it troublesome to have to log into ILLiad using a username and password. We believe this is less trouble than traditional paper and electronic systems which require you to enter your personal information with each new request.

How do I register for ILL?

Eligible users must register, there is no charge to create your own password protected accounts. To register, read the directions for Interlibrary Loan Online Registration, scroll to the bottom and click on the First Time User button. Complete and submit the registration form. If you fail to register correctly, you will not be able to get the materials you need.

Why do I need a username and password to use ILLiad?

Your username and password allows us to give you secure access to information about your interlibrary loan requests. We can also enable you to edit your personal information such as your address or phone number.
Your username can be anything you like, such as your name, abbreviations, or an alphanumeric code. Your password also can be anything you like. We recommend that you follow good security practice and choose a password that is different from those you use to access other systems. However, no one but you will know your password, not even the library staff. The password you set is stored in an encrypted file.

What if I forget my password?

In the event that you forget your password, please contact the Interlibrary Loan Office at (800) 555-1212. We can then reset your password allowing you access to ILLiad. Please change your password once you logon to ILLiad.

What Web browser should I use?

You need a Web browser that can handle forms, tables, and preferably cascading style sheets (CSS). We recommend the current versions of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari.

Is security a problem if I use a public workstation?

Yes. Web browsers cache information and create a history file on the local workstation. This allows a subsequent user of the workstation to access the system under your name using the browser's Back button to recall a page from the cache, or by finding a page with your personal information in the browser's history file. If you are concerned about the security of your interlibrary loan requests, you can take the following steps:
  • Access ILLiad only from your personal computer or an otherwise secure workstation.
  • Access ILLiad from a public workstation in the GSU Digital Library. These computers are supervised by the library staff and secured by campus IT.
  • When using a public access workstation:
    1. Delete from the history file those pages that contain your personal information.
    2. Exit from the Web browser before you leave the workstation. This prevents the Back button from accessing the pages you were using.

What information is needed to make a request?

You must supply ALL the basic bibliographic information about the book or journal article you are requesting by submitting your citation. You must give the full title of the journal, not an abbreviation, volume number, issue number and year. Incomplete forms will be return to the patron.

How long does it take to receive Interlibrary Loan materials?

Every request is different, so there is no set time for materials to arrive. Requests are normally processed on the day they are submitted. Copy requests arrive on average in two to four business days. Loans from other Louisiana libraries usually arrive within one week to two weeks. Books and other loans from libraries outside Louisiana take more time to arrive through the U.S. mail and these average within three weeks. Patrons are therefore advised to submit requests at least two weeks before their own deadlines. There is no such thing as a guaranteed rush request, so please plan ahead.

How will I be contacted when my request arrives?

Place your email address in the space provided and you will be notified by email or phone when an item is ready for pick-up. If there are any problem with fulfilling a request, you will be notified. Articles are made available to patrons electronically, through their ILLiad accounts in pdf format. Patrons are responsible for borrowed materials.

Why don't I see all my older requests when I look at my request history?

From time to time we purge older records from ILLiad. Our policy is to keep requests online for several years order to comply with record keeping requirements of the copyright law.

What is the procedure for picking up/checking out materials?

You must bring your valid I.D. card when picking up Interlibrary Loan materials. ILL office is open from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m -11:30 a.m. on Friday.

What is electronic delivery?

Many libraries ship photocopies of articles to us in electronic format. In the past we printed these articles before delivering them to you. Now, through ILLiad, we are able to offer you the option of electronic delivery of these articles in PDF format (Adobe's Portable Document Format). You can read more about electronic delivery on the Electronic Delivery Information page.

What is the procedure for returning borrowed materials?

Materials must be returned to Interlibrary Loan Department by the due date. Patrons who ignore due dates will have their borrowing privileges cancelled. In addition, patrons will be responsible for paying any fines charges by the lending institution for overdue and lost materials. Late returns impact the entire university community. Failure to return the book by the due date can cause Grambling State University Digital Library to be denied borrowing privileges from the lending library. All faculty, staff, and students shall be held responsible for payment or fines incurred. No exceptions.

What are the ILL Limitations?

Electronic Books are not available through interlibrary loan. Most libraries will not loan whole issues of journals, magazines, newspapers, bound volumes of periodicals, audio/visual materials, reference books, reserve books, Afro-American restricted books, fragile or rare books, manuscripts, dissertations, genealogy materials and materials held in special collections. Patrons may purchase dissertation from the University Microfilms International, Ann Arbor, and ProQuest.

What about Copyright rights & responsibilities?

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research". If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use", that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law. By submitting an interlibrary loan request, you agree to abide by these copyright restrictions.

Who do I contact if I have problems with or questions about ILLiad?

InterLibrary Loan Questions: InterLibrary Loan office at (318) 274-7732 / (318) 274-3153 or Email: illiad@gram.edu

Why does my browser say that you're sending a cookie? What's in it?

The technology that we use sends a Session ID to be stored on your machine. This cookie is required to remain logged in to the ILLiad system.

What are the GSU Digital Library standard hours of operation?

  • Monday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m. -11:00 p.m.
  • Friday: 7:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
  • Saturday: 11:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
  • Sunday: 3:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m.