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Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Loan is a free service available to SUNY Canton students, faculty and staff.

To request library materials through Interlibrary Loan, please log in to the ILLiad online Interlibrary Loan system with your campus account (NetID) username and password. First time users will be asked to register for an account.

Logon to ILLiad

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Frequently Asked Questions about Interlibrary Loan and ILLiad

What is Interlibrary Loan?

When a member of the SUNY Canton community wishes to borrow materials not owned by Southworth Library, they are encouraged to place an "Interlibrary Loan" request. The library's Interlibrary Loan (ILL) department borrows library materials from thousands of other libraries in the continental United States.

What types of library materials will ILL borrow?
What types of library materials will ILL NOT borrow?
Can I borrow textbooks?
Who can use ILL?
How much does the service cost?
How do I use ILL?
How long does it take?
Why didn’t I get what I requested?
Due Dates?
Renewals?
What happens if I don’t return my loan?
Questions, comments, and renewal requests

What types of library materials will ILL borrow?

ILL will obtain books, audiobooks, videos, and other items typically loaned out by public and academic libraries. Book chapters and articles from journals and magazines are copied and sent directly to the patron.

What types of library materials will ILL NOT borrow?

1. E-books
2. Whole journal volume/issues
3. Unpublished material

Can I borrow textbooks?

Yes, but Interlibrary Loan is not an ideal method for obtaining textbooks, and it is NOT recommended.

• Textbooks are typically needed for the full academic semester, while libraries usually lend ILL books for shorter periods (three weeks or a month). Renewals can be requested, but are not guaranteed.
• Many libraries are not willing lend them. This makes it hard to find a library willing to lend.
• Textbooks generally take longer to obtain than normal loans. Many arrive weeks after the semester has begun, while many other textbook requests are likely to go unfilled.

Who can use ILL?

ILL services are open to all SUNY Canton students, faculty, and staff only. Community borrowers are encouraged to use their public library to request ILL materials.

How much does the service cost?

ILL service is always free of charge.  If materials are not returned, users are billed for the replacement cost.

How do I use ILL?

Before placing an ILL request, you should check for the material in Southworth Library’s catalog or with a "RooSearch." You can also look elsewhere online, such as with a “Google Scholar” search. Finally, users are encouraged to seek assistance at the library’s Research Desk if needed.

Login to the ILLiad online Interlibrary Loan service. Fill in the form on the "Submit a New Request" menu with as much information as possible

You will receive an email telling you when the requested item has arrived. Loans will be available for pick-up at the Southworth Library Circulation Desk. A valid SUNY Canton ID card is required in order to pick up ILL items.

Book chapters and articles will be available as a .pdf file. You will receive an email with a link to the article.

How long does it take?

Delivery time varies. Requested loans may be here in a few days, or it may take a week to 10 days. Requests for popular and rare items often take much longer. An article/copy request often arrive much faster.

Why didn’t I get what I requested?

If Southworth Library is unable to borrow an item, the patron is notified by email and the request is "unfilled." This is done after a reasonable attempt has been made to obtain the item. We try to fill all requests, but all loans are dependent on the willingness of other libraries to supply the materials and we cannot guarantee any request will be filled.

Other reasons a request may be go unfilled:

1. The patron did not provide enough information in the Request form
2. The material could not be found by the patron’s “Material Not Needed After” date
3. Certain material types are more difficult to borrow, as libraries are often not willing to lend them; these include best-sellers, recently published books, multivolume sets, microfilm, DVDs, LPs, rare books, textbooks, workbooks, reference books, genealogical materials, and archival materials

See also the list of materials ILL will not attempt to borrow, above.

Due Dates?

Copies of book chapters and articles are delivered electronically to the patron — these copies are theirs to keep.

Due dates for loans are determined by the lending library — SUNY Canton has no control over due dates. Similarly, loans may be recalled by lender at any time, and are due upon receipt of a recall notice.

Overdue notices are sent if materials are not returned by their due dates.

Users are responsible for Interlibrary Loan material from the time it is picked up at the Southworth Library Circulation Desk until the time it is returned to the Circulation Desk. If material is lost or damaged, the user is charged a replacement and processing fee, determined by the lending library.

Renewals?

Renewals can be requested, but are granted at the discretion of the lending library. To request a renewal, login to your ILL account online or contact the Interlibrary Loan office (see below). If the lending library does not grant the renewal, the material must be returned by its original due date; all renewals must be requested before that due date occurs.

What happens if I don’t return my loan?

Users are financially responsible for Interlibrary Loan material from the time it is picked up at the Southworth Library  Circulation Desk until the time it is returned to the Circulation Desk. If material is lost or damaged, the user is charged replacement and processing fees determined by the lending library.

An item is declared “lost” if not returned within three weeks after the item’s “due date.” At three weeks overdue, the patron’s access to the ILLiad ILL service is suspended, and a hold is placed on their campus account.

If the overdue material has still not been returned seven days or more after the final notice, the full replacement charge is placed on the patron’s campus account. Once replacement/processing fees are charged to the patron, they cannot be waived for any reason, including the eventual return of the overdue item.

A suspended patron may request their ILL access be restored after all items are returned and all charges are paid. Requests must be made in writing, emailed to the ILL office at ill@canton.edu or physically mailed to the ILL office at:

Interlibrary Loan, Southworth Library 
SUNY Canton
34 Cornell Drive
Canton, NY 13617

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Questions, comments, and renewal requests may be directed to the Southworth Library Interlibrary Loan staff:

By email: library@canton.edu 
By phone: (315)386-7228

General information about ILL services and help finding/requesting materials may also be found at the library's Reference Desk.