Obtaining Materials not Found
in Syracuse University Library -- FAQ

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The Interlibrary Loan, and Document Delivery Service, will obtain needed materials that are not available in Syracuse University Library. All current Syracuse University students, faculty, and staff are eligible for these services. SUNY ESF students and faculty should contact Moon Library for interlibrary loan services. We regret that we are not able to offer interlibrary loan service to alumni or members of the local community. For more information on interlibrary loan services offered by the Onondaga County Public Library, please see: http://www.ocpl.lib.ny.us/website/Interloan.htm.

What kinds of things may I request?

We can obtain books, journal articles, reports, theses, dissertations, government documents, microfilm or fiche, patents, and other materials. Request any items you need and we will make every effort to get them for you.

Where do you get them from?

We may borrow materials or receive photocopies from other libraries or purchase them from commercial suppliers.

How long does it take?

Our goal is to obtain materials you need as quickly and efficiently as possible. Delivery time is determined by the type of material requested and its availability. Some items, especially recent journal articles, are available within a few hours to a few days. Other materials may take up to three weeks or longer to arrive in the Library. For best results, submit your requests early, let us know your time requirements, and give us as much lead time as possible.

How many items may I request?

In order to make this service available at no cost to users, we have established a limit of 10 items per week per user.

How much does it cost?

There is no charge for this service at this time. The Library covers the costs associated with obtaining most materials.

How do I submit a request?

All requests are submitted online through ILLiad, a web-based interlibrary loan and document delivery system. From the Syracuse University Library home page, click on the ILLiad icon in the lower right corner, or go to https://illiad.syr.edu/

From there, you can click on the ILLiad FAQ for more information or choose the First Time Users link to register as an ILLiad user. After reading the information page, click the Register with ILLiad button and complete the registration page. If you forget your username or password at any time, please call or email the ILL/DD office (address at the end of this page) and they will reset your password to ill. You can start submitting requests as soon as you have registered.

To expedite the process, please check the local catalog in SUMMIT to verify that Syracuse University Library does not own the item you need, and fill out the form completely. Ask at a Library reference desk for help in checking SUMMIT or completing ILLIad requests .

What other options do I have for obtaining things you don't have in print?

The Library subscribes to a number of Web databases that include the full text of articles. Check the Full Text Article Locator to see if we have online access to the title you need. http://libsfx.syr.edu:9003/syracuse/az

How do I know when my material is available?

The Library will contact you by e-mail, telephone, or mail, when your material arrives. Journal articles, which are yours to keep, will be mailed to the address you have specified unless you prefer to pick them up at the Library. All other materials can be picked up at and returned to the circulation desk in E. S. Bird Library.

How long may I keep the books I borrow?

The loan period is set by the lending library and is usually two to four weeks. Please contact the Interlibrary Loan office at least three days before the due date to request renewals. In most cases, lending libraries will honor requests for a two-week renewal. The lending library may recall books lent to SU Library borrowers. If this occurs, you will receive an earlier due date. Overdue fines for recalled books are higher and there is no grace period.

To safeguard against damage to materials, some libraries restrict use of their material to "in-library use only" or will not lend oversize, rare or fragile books or manuscripts, reference books, or bound volumes of journals.

What happens if I'm late or lose something?

Books and other materials borrowed through Interlibrary Loan for our users are the property of the lending library.  ILLiad sends out overdue messages.  When you receive the third overdue message you will be blocked from using the ILLiad System until you pay your fine.  The fine is $15.00.  If the material is not returned after the third notice, you will be billed for the replacement cost.  The lending library sets the replacement cost for their material.

Where can I find out more information?

Interlibrary Loan Office, 017 E.S. Bird Library (315) 443-3725 Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ill@syr.edu	Science & Technology Library, Carnegie Building 443-2160
Reference Desk, E.S. Bird Library 443-4083 libref@syr.edu	Mathematics Library, Carnegie Building 443-2092
Geology Library, Heroy Geology Building 443-3337	Physics Building, Physics Library 443-2692