IDD: Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Requests

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ILLiad?
Who is eligible to use ILL services?
What is "Document Delivery"?
What can I request via ILL?
Why do I need a username and password to use ILLiad?
What do the ILLiad statuses mean?
What if I forget my password?
What Web browser should I use?
How long can I have my ILL item(s)?
How do I renew my ILL items?
How do I receive my articles requested through ILLiad?
Where do I pick-up my books requested through ILLiad?
What is IDD's overdue policy for Interlibrary Loan materials?
Who do I contact if I have problems with or questions about ILLiad?

ILLiad is USC's electronic system for requesting materials owned by other libraries through the global interlibrary loan network. The name ILLiad can be thought of as an acronym for InterLibrary Loan internet accessible database. This system also manages our Document Delivery service, which currently delivers electronic copies of articles and other documents to faculty and distance users.

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Who is eligible to use ILL services?

All current University of Southern California faculty and staff and active graduate students and undergraduate students enrolled with the University are eligible to request material through USC's ILLiad system.

The only exceptions to this rule are USC Health Sciences and USC Law faculty, students, and staff.

Dental, medical, pharmacy, occupational and physical therapy users must use the Health Sciences DocRetriever service.
Law students must use Asa V. Call Law Library Interlibrary Loan.

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What is "Document Delivery"?

IDD's Document Delivery service processes article and book chapter requests from USC-owned journals, books, and other materials. These documents are scanned and posted on our server for easy patron access. Currently, all USC faculty and graduate students are eligible for electronic delivery of articles from USC-owned materials. Additionally, all students enrolled in distance education courses, such as those offered in the Distance Education Network (DEN), are eligible for Document Delivery services. There is no charge or fee for using this service at this time.

To request document delivery, simply fill out an ILLiad article request form with as much citation information as possible. The IDD staff will search HOMER, find the article or book chapter, and deliver it via a direct PDF link in an email.

Distance-based students and faculty are also eligible for home delivery of USC-owned books. In order to qualify for this service, you must be enrolled in a distance-based course and reside outside the Los Angeles County area. Books are delivered to your home address as listed in the ILLiad system via UPS. You will be responsible for the postage to return the material by the due date supplied.

For more information, please email us or call us at (213) 740-4020.

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What can I request via ILL?

Books, dissertations, microforms, audio-visual items, and circulating material of any kind can be requested from lending libraries. Please note that requests must be pertinent to academic and/or research purposes and that IDD reserves the right to cancel requests or suspend access if abuse of the service is determined.

In addition, you can request journal articles, book chapters, maps, or any other material that can be reproduced electronically or by photocopy.

NOTE: Lenders of media items such as VHS, DVD, CD, and other recordings are difficult to find and processing these requests may take more time than a book or article. IDD borrowing staff will do its very best to obtain these types of materials, but please be aware that it may take a substantially longer amount of time and the circulation time will be shortened as well.

NOTE: Class textbooks cannot be ordered through Interlibrary Loan. They are very difficult to obtain and cannot be kept for the entire semester. If the bookstore does not have the textbook in stock, please notify the bookstore or your instructor. Requests for textbooks will be cancelled.

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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.

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What do the statuses mean?

Below is a brief explanation of all the statuses you may see when you look up the status of your request on ILLiad:

Awaiting ALA Processing	This item cannot be requested via traditional ILL. It will now be processed and sent via fax or US Mail to a potential lender.
Awaiting Copyright Clearance	Your article is awaiting copyright processing to determine if any copyright fees need to be paid. These fees, if required, are paid by the library, not the requesting customer.
Awaiting Conditional Request Processing	Your ILL request has been sent to a lending library, but the lender has requested that we meet their conditions or inform us of their policies prior to shipping the item. Our ILL office may either agree to the conditions or seek other lenders.
Awaiting Customer Contact	Your item has arrived but is currently being processed in our office to place on the Doheny Library circulation shelf.
Awaiting Reply	Our staff has sent you an email requesting more information about your ILL item and we are currently awaiting a reply.
Awaiting Request Processing	Your ILL item has been submitted, cleared copyright (if necessary) and is now ready to be searched and requested from potential lenders.
Awaiting Unfilled Processing	Your ILL request has been returned as unfilled. No library in our first group of chosen libraries is able to provide the item. ILL staff will review the request and send it again, if more sources are available.
Checked Out to Customer	Your item has arrived, has been processed by the ILL staff, and has been checked out to the customer or one of his/her authorized users.
Claims Returned	This status is assigned to items that our customers who claim they have returned their ILL items by the due date or later, but were not checked in and have not been received in our ILL office or at the lender. We diligently search our shelves and communicate with the lender to ensure that their items are returned.
Customer Notified via E-Mail	Your requested item has arrived, has been processed by the ILL staff, and the customer has been notified of its availability via e-mail.
Request Sent	Your request has been sent to a potential lender and we are awaiting notification that the item can be provided.

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What if I forget my password?

In the event that you forget your password, please contact us at (213) 740-4020 or email us at idd@usc.edu. We can then reset your password allowing you access to ILLiad. Please change your password once you logon to ILLiad.

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What Web browser should I use?

You need a Web browser that can handle forms, tables, and, preferably, one that can handle frames. We recommend either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, but the system is also compatible with Firefox and Safari.

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How long can I have my ILL item(s)?

For books and other loaned items, the due date is always set by the lending library. The due date will be listed on the front cover strap of your ILL request. Renewals may be possible and can only be given by the lending library. Please remember to submit a renewal request at least three days prior to the due date.

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How can I renew my ILL items?

IDD users can renew their Interlibrary Loan items online through their ILLiad account. Here are the instructions:

a. Log into your ILLiad account (http://usc.illiad.oclc.org/illiad/logon.html).

b. On the Main Menu page, scroll down to the Review Requests section of the page.

c. Click on the View/Renew Checked Out Items button. This will open the View/Renew Checked Out Items page which will display all the current ILL items checked out to this customer.

d. To request a renewal, click on the View/Edit button on the left hand side that displays the Transaction Number. This will open the Checked Out Item Detailed Information Page.

e. Click on the Request Renewal Button on the right to submit a REQUEST to renew. This will add five days to the due date and will allow the ILL staff to send the request to the lending library to see if a request can be allowed. The customer will be notified VIA E-MAIL when the renewal is approved or denied.

Some ILL items cannot be renewed. If the customer tries to renew them online, they will receive a "RENEWALS NOT ALLOWED" message.

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How do I receive my articles requested through ILLiad?

USC's ILLiad interlibrary loan and document delivery system offers the convenient option of having articles delivered to your email inbox. You will receive an email notification to the address inidcated in your ILLiaed account which will contain a link to your article in PDF format.

You will need the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed and configured to work with your Web browser in order to view, download, and print these articles.

Be sure to keep your email address current in ILLiad so that we can assure that you access your documents.

You can also access your article(s) by logging into your ILLiad account. On the main menu, choose "View/Download Electronically Received Articles." This will take you to a list of all items that you may view or download.

Please note: All of our articles will be delivered electronically, even if we receive hardcopies from the lending library. However, if we deem an article quality too poor or we are unable to scan the item, we will send it to you via US Mail or notify you to pick the item up at the Doheny Memorial Library Circulation desk.

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Where do I pick-up my books requested through ILLiad?

ILL requests can be picked up at the Doheny Memorial Library Circulation Desk. Also, all ILL requests must be returned to the Doheny Circulation Desk. Please do not return ILL request in library book drops as they may get lost in transit and you may be subsequently charged for replacement.

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What is IDD's overdue policy for Interlibrary Loan materials?

IDD charges a $15.00 overdue fine per item when the patron receives an "Extremely Overdue" notice through email. In addition, the patron's ILLiad account is blocked until the overdue fine is paid. Furthermore, requests in process received by IDD will not be delivered to the patron and attempts to re-register with the service will be disavowed. ILL Overdue reminder and notifications are sent three times a week.

ILL items lost or not returned 30 days past the due date will be charged a flat $75.00 replacement fee. This replacement fee may be reduced to $15.00 if the item is returned promptly. Unfortunately, we cannot accept replacements for lost items.

Overdue fines can be paid at any USC Library. Please contact IDD when the overdue fee is paid so that we may unblock your account.

Excessive or consistent overdues will result in permanent suspension of ILL privileges.

Email: idd@usc.edu

Phone: (213) 740-4020

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

USC Libraries, IDD can be reached at (213) 740-4020 or e-mail idd@usc.edu.

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University of Southern California Libraries
Integrated Document Delivery
3434 S. Grand Ave. Suite 208
Los Angeles, CA 90089-2811
(213) 740-4020
(213) 749-1045 (fax)
idd@usc.edu