Step 5

Request the item.

There are many ways to request an item via ILL:

Through WorldCat Resource Sharing via OCLC ILL
Through ILLiad
With an ALA form (.pdf or Microsoft Word)
for libraries that do not use OCLC ILL or do not accept OCLC ILL requests
With an IFLA form
for international requests that cannot be placed via OCLC ILL
Via a library's own online request form
some libraries maintain their own request form instead of accepting ALA or IFLA forms

Identify owning libraries who are likely lenders and choose a lender string (see "How To Choose a Lender String" by MLNC). Choose lenders that are fast, reliable, and cost-effective (free or cheap). Also consider geographic proximity (for loans), delivery method (courier/expedited for books; Ariel for articles), and whether the library is an A/V lender.

If you use OCLC ILL, rely on custom holdings.

Create different paths for different material types: books, articles, A/V.
Custom Holdings groups are set in the Administrative Module; see OCLC WorldCat Resource Sharing Tutorials: Custom Holdings to learn more.
Information on libraries' lending policies, delivery method and charges, addresses, and contact information are available in the OCLC Policies Directory. Learn more at Getting Started with the OCLC Policies Directory.

Each library on your lender string has 4 days to fill the request or update it and move it on to the next lender.

Other considerations:

Does the library charge more than your max cost?
Will the library accept IFM for payment?
Some large libraries need more time to fill a lending request. These libraries are called "Enter My Symbol Twice" (EMST) libraries. Many of the Big Ten schools are EMST libraries. This is not a status officially recognized by OCLC, but there are unofficial lists of EMST libraries to use when creating custom groups.
The Library of Congress (DLC) is a lender of last resort and must fill all five spots on the lender string
The New York Public Library (NYP) does not lend returnables. For photocopies, they also must be entered five times on the lender string.

Other custom holdings resources online:

Create reciprocal agreements with other institutions where your institutions agree to provide free loans and copies through ILL. Many states and regions have consortial groups which provide for reciprocal ILL among members. Some resource sharing groups and consortia are:

AMIGOS
KUDZU
ILCSO
MOBIUS
LVIS

LVIS stands for "Libraries Very Interested in Sharing" and is a national OCLC resource sharing group that is free to join and has over 2,000 members. The only requirement is that your library must be an OCLC supplier.

CRL members can also borrow for free from CRL (include?)

Load leveling (what to say about this?)

One vendor can also be included on a lender string: Alibris. If you enter ALBRS into your lender string, Alibris will treat your ILL request as a purchasing request and will try to supply the title you need within the max cost you specify. See http://www.alibris.com/about/press_releases/011705.cfm for more information.

What information needs to be in the request? Info on constant data here.

Ship to information
Borrowing notes
Patron name, status, and department, if applicable
ILLiad TN number
Max cost
Need by date
Copyright compliance information (CCL/CCG)
Complete article citation
Years or reels for microfilm serial requests

Talk about conditionals here (what to say about these?)


	Fun Interactive Exercise!
	Choosing a Lender String
	Five or six libraries are listed, with their policies. You, as a borrower, have a max cost of $10, are located in x state, recieve articles using Ariel. Which of these libraries should be first for each type of request? Article (Ariel free library); Book loan ($10, in state, no A/V); A/V loan (free A/V lender - MBV); microfilm loan (state library: JNA? What's their charge?)

Forward to Step 6: Receive the item (or not)

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