Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about ILLiad Book and Document Retrieval

Contents

  • What is it?
  • How does the new system differ from the old  WSU ILL systems?
  • Why do I need a username and password to use the new system?
  • What if I forget my password?
  • How long does it take to "get" my books and articles?
  • How do I renew my books?
  • What Web browser should I use?
  • Is security a problem if I use a public workstation?
  • Why don't I see all my older requests when I look at my request history?
  • What is Electronic Delivery?
  • Who do I contact if I have problems with or questions about the system?
  • Why does my browser say that you're sending a cookie? What's in it?

  • What is it?

    WSU Libraries Book and Document Retrieval is the electronic system you use to request an item through Interlibrary Loan. This is a new system which replaces the former paper and electronic request process.

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    How is does the new system differ from the old WSU ILL system?

    1. You enter your personal information once. You then may request as many items as you wish without re-entering your personal information.
    2. You may request material, check the status of your requests, and request renewals online.
    3. You receive many of your photocopies more quickly through Electronic Delivery.  The process of mailing material is eliminated within this new system.
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    Why do I need a username and password to use WSU Book and Document Retrieval?

    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. No one but you will know your password, not even the library staff. You are also given the option of entering a "prompt" to assist you in remembering your password. The password you set is stored in an encrypted file.

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    What if I forget my password?

    In the event that you forget your password, please contact the Interlibrary Loan Office at (316) 978-3167  8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. We recommend you enter a "password prompt" when registering to assist you in remembering your password.  We can  reset your password to allow you access to the system and then you may change your password once you logon to the system.

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    How long does it take to "get" my books and articles?

    The length of time to obtain your material depends upon availability and the type of material. We do our best to obtain all material as quickly as possible but you should allow two weeks to receive your books and copies.

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    How do I renew my books?

    You have a "window" of ten days, before the date the book is due, to request a renewal. For example, if your book is due May 15th, your opportunity to renew the book will be from May 5 to May 14th. After the book is due, you may not request a renewal. You will need to bring the book in so we may reorder if you wish us to request a different copy from another source.

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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 Netscape Navigator version 3.0 or greater or Microsoft Internet Explorer version 3.0 or greater. Both browsers are available for the Windows 3.x, Windows 95 or NT, and Macintosh O/S operating systems. Netscape Navigator is available for UNIX.

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    Is security a problem if I use a public workstation?

    Yes. Web browsers cache information and create a history file on the local workstation. This allows a subsequent user of the workstation to access the system under your name using the browser's Back button to recall a page from the cache, or by finding a page with your personal information in the browser's history file. If you are concerned about the security of your interlibrary loan requests, you can take the following steps:

    1. Access  the system only from your personal computer or an otherwise secure workstation.
    2. Access the system from a public workstation in the Interlibrary Loan office in the library. These computers are supervised by the library staff.
    3. When using a public access workstation:
      • Delete from the history file those pages that contain your personal information.
      • Exit from the Web browser before you leave the workstation. This prevents the Back button from accessing the pages you were using.
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    Why don't I see all my older requests when I look at my request history?

    From time to time we purge older records. Our policy is to keep requests online for several years order to comply with record keeping requirements of the copyright law.

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    What is electronic delivery?

    Many libraries ship photocopies of articles to us in electronic format. In the past we printed these articles before delivering them to you. Now, through WSU Libraries Book and Document Retrieval, we offer electronic delivery of these articles in PDF format (Adobe's Portable Document Format). You can read more about electronic delivery on the Electronic Delivery Information page.

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

    System Problems or Interlibrary Loan Questions: Interlibrary Loan office at (316) 978-3167
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    Why does my browser say that you're sending a cookie? What's in it?

    The Active Server Pages technology that we use to provide live reporting for the web sends a Session ID to be stored on your machine. You can refuse this cookie and still be able to use the ILL web pages and  ILLiad without any problems.

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