Interlibrary Loan: an Epic Library Service

Last week, I alluded to an often overlooked service of epic proportions: interlibrary loans.

This week, I'd like to take you on a voyage that will help you to navigate the sometimes daunting waters of the interlibrary loan (ILL) process.

First, you'll need a map. The ILL frequently asked questions page will answer basic questions you may have about this service and get you pointed in the right direction. Be sure to explore the ILL information specifically for distance learners.

Once you've got your bearings, you'll need to access ILLiad, the interlibrary loan system. Just enter your BSU username and password to log in. Next, fill in the registration page, making sure all required fields are complete. Most importantly, if you are enrolled in a distance education program select "Distance Ed Graduate" in the Status box. This guarantees your requests are handled as if you are not physically on campus. See the screenshot for an example of choosing your status. You only need to complete the registration process once, so if you need to log into the system again, it will remember your information.

After you're logged into (and registered for) ILLiad, you'll need citation information from the item you'd like to request. If you've clicked on a Find It button, this information will be automatically filled in for you. You can also get citation information automatically by clicking the "Request via interlibrary loan" link from an item record in WorldCat.

The ILL office asks that you allow one week before an electronic copy of a journal article is sent to the e-mail address you provided when you registered. If BSU doesn't own the journal, it may take up to three weeks.

Books owned by University Libraries can be mailed to your home address (you must pay for return postage). However, if an item has to be borrowed from another library, you must come to campus to pick it up, which may be an option for you if you live near Muncie. If you don't, check WorldCat to see if a library close to you owns the book you're looking for.

I hope this gives you enough information to chart the sometimes murky waters of interlibrary loans. If you have more questions about the interlibrary loan process, you can get in touch with me or contact ILL Services directly. ILL is a great example of why you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Window to Your WorldCat

If you're using library resources at a distance, you may find yourself wondering how to get an item that's not available in a full-text format from one of the University Libraries' many databases. Say you've looked up a book in CardCat that's just not available. You could request the item via interlibrary loan, but you live in Iowa and can't justify a trip to Muncie to pick up material from Bracken Library.

Did you know there's a quick and simple way to see if a local library has the item you need? Did you also know that many public libraries offer interlibrary loan services to their patrons? Read on about the wonders of WorldCat.

WorldCat allows you to search thousands of library catalogs (like CardCat) at once, providing you with a list of libraries that own the item you're looking for. The first screenshot shows an example of the number of options available when
searching WorldCat.

After clicking the Search button, you'll get an item record like the one displayed in the second screenshot.

By clicking the link for "Libraries worldwide that own item," you'll get a detailed list of libraries and their locations (see third screenshot). Notice that the list of locations starts with libraries close to Ball State's location, then spirals out from there.

WorldCat is a quick way to locate books anywhere in the country (or the world). You can even use the information in WorldCat records to fill out your interlibrary loan request forms.

Access WorldCat from the University Libraries' databases page under the W's. If you get stuck or need additional help, check out the Ask a Librarian services. And as always, remember you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Useful Features For You (UF4U)

This week, I'd like to point out a feature that you may have noticed while using some of the resources available from the University Libraries: Find It @ BSU.

When you click on this icon while searching a database offered by the University Libraries, you access a powerful tool that can help you to find the information you need.

An article citation in a database may not have full text available. Clicking on the Find It icon brings up a window like the one in the screenshot. There are typically 3 parts to a Find It window:

• Full text - If a full text version of an article is available in a database other than the one you're searching, it will be listed here. Click on the blue "Go" button to be taken to the new database. Your results may vary when you click Go, so be aware that in most cases, you'll want to have the year, volume, and page numbers handy as you try to locate the link to the article.

• CardCat - If a full text version is not found, clicking the Go button next to the CardCat section will run a search for the title of the magazine or journal (not the article) in CardCat. If BSU Libraries subscribes to that journal, a record for that title will pop up. Look at the Holdings information and that will give you the location of the particular volume number you need.

• Interlibrary Loan / ILLiad - Clicking the Go button in this section will take you to the ILLiad login screen. Follow the instructions to request the article via interlibrary loan. Please be aware that if full text of the article is available, interlibrary loan will not appear as an option on the Find It screen.
  

That's it for this week! Keep an eye out for other Useful Features for You highlighted in my weekly blog posts. If you have questions about this feature, feel free to use our Ask a Librarian services or leave a comment below.

As always, remember you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Distance Learning blog is back!

Hello, everyone!

My name is Jason Fields, and I am the new Information Services Librarian for Distance Education at the University Libraries. I'll be updating the Distance Learning blog weekly either to draw your attention to new resources or to share a tip or trick with you regarding how to get the most out of Ball State's library services wherever you are!

So, let me start out with pulling back the curtain on two of our newest databases, PILOTS and CuminCAD.

PILOTS, or Published International Literature On Traumatic Stress, is updated monthly and deals specifically with the topic of post-traumatic stress and its effects. The range of literature dates back to 1871 and covers current information to date.

CumInCad, or the Cumulative Index of Computer Aided Architectural Design, gives you access to journals and conference papers in the field of computer aided architectural design. It's important to note that first-time users must create a new account with the "New users" link on the left-hand side of the page. The graphic shows you where to click the first time you visit.

Another new resource has been added to the Digital Commons under the E-Books node. From the resource's website: "Hebrewbooks.org was founded in order to preserve old American Hebrew books that are out of print and/or circulation. Many American Rabbis wrote seforim (Hebrew books) in the early part of the 20th century. They have long since passed away and in many instances so has their holy work.

Currently our mission has expanded to include all Torah Seforim ever printed. At Hebrewbooks.org you will be able to view and print the entire Sefer online."

And there you have it! Three new resources to try out when you have time, or need information. Remember, you don't have to be in the library to use it!

Until next week....