ILLiad FAQ

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about ILLiad

What is ILLiad?
How is ILLiad better than traditional ILL systems?
Are there any disadvantages to the electronic system?
What do the status messages on my outstanding requests mean?
Why do I need a username and password to use ILLiad?
What if I forget my password?
What Web browser should I use?
Is security a problem if I use a public workstation?
Why don't I see all my older requests when I look at my request history?
What is Electronic Delivery?
Who do I contact if I have problems with or questions about ILLiad?
Why does my browser say that you're sending a cookie? What's in it?

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.

How is ILLiad better than traditional ILL systems?

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.
Your request will be handled more rapidly and accurately as problems relating to misinterpretation of hand-written requests are eliminated.
You can get many of your photocopies more quickly through Electronic Delivery.
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.
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.

What do the status messages on my outstanding requests mean?

ILLiad uses various statuses to track requests and control work flow. These messages, listed below, may be used to pinpoint the exact location of any given item at any given time. Please note that these statuses reflect the actions of the requesting customer as well as those of the ILL staff.

Status Explanation

At Bindery This item requested by an extended campus customer and owned by Carmichael Library is at the bindery. We will continue processing the request as soon as the item returns from the bindery.

Awaiting ALA Processing This item is owned by a library that does not participate in the OCLC ILL system. We will now process this item using the standard ALA (American Library Association) paper request form and send the request via fax to the potential lender.

Awaiting Conditional Processing A lending library has "conditionalized" our request for this item, and they have sent us a message asking us to clarify our borrowing request for the item, or they have asked us whether we are willing to comply with special conditions (high cost, restricted use, etc.) before they will lend the item.

Awaiting Copyright Clearance This article request must be reviewed to determine if any copyright fees need to be paid. These fees, if required, are paid by the library, not the requesting customer.

Awaiting Customer Contact This requested item has arrived and has been processed by the ILL staff, but we have not yet informed the customer that the item has arrived.

Awaiting Email Response We have sent you an email about this request, and we are waiting for your response.

Awaiting Extensive Searching This requested item could not be identified during an initial search. More extensive searching will now be done using standard bibliographic sources to try to identify exactly what is being requested.

Awaiting Other Request Processing This requested item requires some unspecified special handling before it can be requested from another library. Notes attached to the request should have a further explanation.

Awaiting Post Receipt Processing This requested item has been received in ILLiad, but has not yet been processed for delivery to the requester.

Awaiting Request Processing This requested item has been submitted by the customer and has gone through the copyright clearance process, if necessary. It is now ready to be searched and requested from potential lenders.

Awaiting Return Label Printing This item has been returned to the ILL office by the customer. It is currently awaiting return processing so that it can be returned to the lending library.

Awaiting Unfilled Processing The request for this item was not filled by any of the lending libraries that we have tried so far. We will try to identify additional libraries that claim to own the item.

Cancelled By Customer The customer has cancelled this request and no longer requires the requested item.

Cancelled By ILL Staff This request has been cancelled by the ILL staff. You can learn the reason for the cancellation by logging on to your ILLiad account and clicking the "View/Resubmit Cancelled Requests" button and looking at the detailed information for the cancelled item.
Note: If one of your requests is cancelled by the ILL staff, ILLiad will immediately send you an email message explaining why the item was cancelled.

Checked Out to Customer The requested ILL item has arrived from the lending library, has been processed by the ILL staff, and has been checked out by the customer or by one of his/her proxies. Until the item's status is changed to "Item Checked In", the customer is responsible for the item.

Customer Notified via email The requested item has arrived, has been processed by the ILL staff, and the customer has been notified of it's availability via ILLiad's automated email. This status reflects the customer's preferred notification method (email) as entered in his/her personal information page.

Customer Notified via Phone The requested item has arrived, has been processed by the ILL staff, and the customer has been notified of it's availability via telephone. This status reflects the customer's preferred notification method (Phone) as entered in his/her personal information page.

Delivered to Web The requested item has arrived, has been processed by the ILL staff, and has been posted to the requesting customer's personal ILLiad page, where it may be viewed and/or downloaded electronically via Adobe Reader.

Incorrect Item Received and Returned An item was received that does not match the item that was requested. It has been returned to the lender and the original item will be re-requested.

Item Checked In The item borrowed from another library has been returned to the ILL office by the customer and the item has been checked in. It is now ready for return processing.

Item Returned The item has been returned to the lender.

Long Overdue This borrowed item has not been returned by the borrower. A problem concerning the return is being resolved. This status prevents ILLiad from sending additional overdue notices and blocking the requester's ILLiad account.

Received Incorrect/Partial Item An item was received that either does not match the item that was requested or is incomplete. The ILL staff will determine the quickest means to correct this.

Request Finished The entire request process has been completed successfully. Requests with this status are archived under the "View Request History" button.
Note: Cancelled requests are not at "Request Finished" status and thus do not display under "View Request History". Cancelled requests may be found under the "View/Resubmit Cancelled Requests" button.

Request Held Until... This status is used to hold a request for later processing. This is used mostly in December when Interlibrary Loan services are suspended over the holidays. Requests are held until they can be processed in January of the following year. This status may also be used to hold difficult requests until we receive more information.

Request Held Until 2011 --- New requests that can not be processed until January 2011.
Request Held Until cond --- Requests being sent out (on OCLC) for the second or more time. These will also be held over the holidays.
Request Held Until Nancy --- Difficult requests about which our staff is trying to gather more information.

Request In Processing This request is being processed at this moment.

Request Sent This request for an item not owned by UM has been sent to possible lending libraries and we are waiting for the item to be shipped by a lender.

Submitted by Customer This request has been submitted by the customer and is awaiting processing by the ILL staff.

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 (205) 665-6103. 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 preferrably Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). We recommend the current versions of either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox.

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 Interlibrary Loan office in the library. These computers are supervised by the library staff.
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.

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 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.

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

System Problems or InterLibrary Loan Questions: InterLibrary Loan office at (205) 665-6103 or e-mail to umill@montevallo.edu
Technical Support Questions: E-mail anytime to umill@montevallo.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. You can refuse this cookie and still be able to use ILLiad without any problems.

Status	Explanation
At Bindery	This item requested by an extended campus customer and owned by Carmichael Library is at the bindery. We will continue processing the request as soon as the item returns from the bindery.
Awaiting ALA Processing	This item is owned by a library that does not participate in the OCLC ILL system. We will now process this item using the standard ALA (American Library Association) paper request form and send the request via fax to the potential lender.
Awaiting Conditional Processing	A lending library has "conditionalized" our request for this item, and they have sent us a message asking us to clarify our borrowing request for the item, or they have asked us whether we are willing to comply with special conditions (high cost, restricted use, etc.) before they will lend the item.
Awaiting Copyright Clearance	This article request must be reviewed to determine if any copyright fees need to be paid. These fees, if required, are paid by the library, not the requesting customer.
Awaiting Customer Contact	This requested item has arrived and has been processed by the ILL staff, but we have not yet informed the customer that the item has arrived.
Awaiting Email Response	We have sent you an email about this request, and we are waiting for your response.
Awaiting Extensive Searching	This requested item could not be identified during an initial search. More extensive searching will now be done using standard bibliographic sources to try to identify exactly what is being requested.
Awaiting Other Request Processing	This requested item requires some unspecified special handling before it can be requested from another library. Notes attached to the request should have a further explanation.
Awaiting Post Receipt Processing	This requested item has been received in ILLiad, but has not yet been processed for delivery to the requester.
Awaiting Request Processing	This requested item has been submitted by the customer and has gone through the copyright clearance process, if necessary. It is now ready to be searched and requested from potential lenders.
Awaiting Return Label Printing	This item has been returned to the ILL office by the customer. It is currently awaiting return processing so that it can be returned to the lending library.
Awaiting Unfilled Processing	The request for this item was not filled by any of the lending libraries that we have tried so far. We will try to identify additional libraries that claim to own the item.
Cancelled By Customer	The customer has cancelled this request and no longer requires the requested item.
Cancelled By ILL Staff	This request has been cancelled by the ILL staff. You can learn the reason for the cancellation by logging on to your ILLiad account and clicking the "View/Resubmit Cancelled Requests" button and looking at the detailed information for the cancelled item. Note: If one of your requests is cancelled by the ILL staff, ILLiad will immediately send you an email message explaining why the item was cancelled.
Checked Out to Customer	The requested ILL item has arrived from the lending library, has been processed by the ILL staff, and has been checked out by the customer or by one of his/her proxies. Until the item's status is changed to "Item Checked In", the customer is responsible for the item.
Customer Notified via email	The requested item has arrived, has been processed by the ILL staff, and the customer has been notified of it's availability via ILLiad's automated email. This status reflects the customer's preferred notification method (email) as entered in his/her personal information page.
Customer Notified via Phone	The requested item has arrived, has been processed by the ILL staff, and the customer has been notified of it's availability via telephone. This status reflects the customer's preferred notification method (Phone) as entered in his/her personal information page.
Delivered to Web	The requested item has arrived, has been processed by the ILL staff, and has been posted to the requesting customer's personal ILLiad page, where it may be viewed and/or downloaded electronically via Adobe Reader.
Incorrect Item Received and Returned	An item was received that does not match the item that was requested. It has been returned to the lender and the original item will be re-requested.
Item Checked In	The item borrowed from another library has been returned to the ILL office by the customer and the item has been checked in. It is now ready for return processing.
Item Returned	The item has been returned to the lender.
Long Overdue	This borrowed item has not been returned by the borrower. A problem concerning the return is being resolved. This status prevents ILLiad from sending additional overdue notices and blocking the requester's ILLiad account.
Received Incorrect/Partial Item	An item was received that either does not match the item that was requested or is incomplete. The ILL staff will determine the quickest means to correct this.
Request Finished	The entire request process has been completed successfully. Requests with this status are archived under the "View Request History" button. Note: Cancelled requests are not at "Request Finished" status and thus do not display under "View Request History". Cancelled requests may be found under the "View/Resubmit Cancelled Requests" button.
Request Held Until...	This status is used to hold a request for later processing. This is used mostly in December when Interlibrary Loan services are suspended over the holidays. Requests are held until they can be processed in January of the following year. This status may also be used to hold difficult requests until we receive more information. Request Held Until 2011 --- New requests that can not be processed until January 2011. Request Held Until cond --- Requests being sent out (on OCLC) for the second or more time. These will also be held over the holidays. Request Held Until Nancy --- Difficult requests about which our staff is trying to gather more information.
Request In Processing	This request is being processed at this moment.
Request Sent	This request for an item not owned by UM has been sent to possible lending libraries and we are waiting for the item to be shipped by a lender.
Submitted by Customer	This request has been submitted by the customer and is awaiting processing by the ILL staff.