How to Obtain Books and Articles

1. Using FirstSearch: Search for the book you want in the FirstSearch Worldcat database or the article in one of the FirstSearch bibliographic databases.
    
   Click on "Get/display item" then choose interlibrary loan.
    
   Fill out the required information on the interlibrary loan request form and be sure to include an accurate mailing address, fax number if you want fax delivery, and deadline date. Your request will go to the WILS to be filled.
    
   
2. Using EBSCOhost (Badgerlink), other Common UW System Databases, or items from any library catalog or WISCAT: Search for what you want. When you locate an article you can use, click on the Send ILL Request button on the UWSSLEC library page. You can use Alt + Tab to toggle between the database citation and another page on a PC or select the UWSSLEC library page window on a Mac to cut and paste information into the ILL form. You can also use this for FirstSearch. You will be prompted to fill in the required citation information: Author, title, publisher, date for a book; journal title, article title, volume, date pages, for an article, as well as the source of the citation, your name, mailing address, email address, and deadline date. Your request will be handled by WILS.
   
   
3. Deadline Date: In all cases, be sure to include a deadline date. This should be the last date that the material will be useful to you. Doing so will let the staff know how to process your request if the item is unavailable in Madison and must be referred to other resources, which can add several days or several weeks to filling the request.
    
   

How long will it take to get the material that I request?
If the item that you request is available on the shelf of the resource library, it will be filled quickly--within several days. If it is not immediately available we will try to fill it using other library resources. Since this can add several days to several weeks to the request, be sure to include your deadline so the material won't arrive after it is no longer useful to you.
 
Why do I need to include a deadline date if this is a fast service?
If the item you want is available at UW-Madison, you will receive it in several days even if you indicated a very long deadline. However, interlibrary loan staff may need to check many sources if the items you request are in use, missing, or not owned at the different library collections they use to fill your request. If you don't include a deadline date, staff will check only the UW-Madison campus libraries, and will send you a report immediately if they cannot fill the request. The longer the time that you give, the more resources they can check to fill the request. Always include the very last date that material will be useful to you.
 
Do I have to pick up the material at a library?
Photocopies will be mailed first class or faxed if you include a fax number. Books will be sent to you by UPS with instructions describing the methods you can use to return the materials.
 
How long can I keep the loan?
Books and other loans will generally be due in 14 to 28 days depending on the policies of the lending library. Please pay attention to due dates. Renewals are difficult to provide.
 
How can I find out if my materials are on the way?
Send an email to: wilsill@wils.wisc.edu
 

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Adapted by E. Anne Zarinnia for UWSSLEC

Copyright 2000. This file last modified February 2001.

Wisconsin Library Services, 728 State Street, Room 464, Madison, WI 53706;    (608) 263-4962