Interlibrary Loan: Questions about Interlibrary Loan

What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

Interlibrary Loan is a service through which patrons may request print and audio-visual materials not owned by The College of Staten Island Library or any other CUNY library.

Who Can Use ILL?

All current College of Staten Island faculty, staff and students may register and request materials thru interlibrary loan.

Is there a limit on the number of requests a borrower may submit?

The interlibrary loan service limits borrowers to 25 transactions in process at any one time. This includes pending requests, received requests, and items being returned. We limit the number of requests we process, in order to make sure other patrons' requests are processed in a timely manner.

Is There a Charge for ILL?

Interlibrary Loan services are provided to current CSI faculty, staff, and students only, usually without any costs from participating institutions. Occasionally, there may be a fee from non-participating institutions that charge for interlibrary loan services. When submitting your request please select if you are willing to pay for the items or you would only like the item if it is available free to you.

What is ILLiad?

ILLiad is the electronic system you use to request an item through interlibrary loan. The name ILLiad is an acronym forInterLibrary Loan internet accessible database.

• You will find it easier to submit your interlibrary loan requests. With ILLiad, you enter your name, address, and other personal information into the system only once, at the time of your first request.
• Your request will be handled more rapidly and accurately.
• You can get many of your photocopies more quickly through electronic delivery.
• You can get information about the status of your request through the Web at any time from any location without having to call the interlibrary loan Department.
• Library personnel are able to serve you better because all data about your request and its handling is stored in a searchable database. We are able to respond quickly to your inquiries about your request. We are also able to gather statistical information about the performance of the libraries that lend to us, enabling us to make better decisions when choosing a lender to supply an item.

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, we are able to electronically delivery these articles in PDF format (Adobe's Portable Document Format).

What Types of Materials are Available?

The ILL Department will attempt to borrow articles, books and other material you may require. Some items are more difficult to borrow and thus take longer to arrive. These include current yearbooks, rare materials, bound journal volumes, videotapes, DVDs or CDs, foreign theses and dissertations, and microprint. Not all items are available and many institutions require fees for lending or do not lend or copy rare materials and full journal issues. If you would like further assistance before placing your request, please contact the ILL office at (718) 982-4014/4076

How long does it take?

Most loan requests are filled within 5-10 business days; articles generally arrive within one week. Other materials may take longer, depending on the location of the supplying library and method of delivery used.

How will loans be delivered?

• Students: Loans or other items that are physically delivered (whenever possible articles will be delivered electronically) are to be picked up at the College of Staten Island Library Circulation desk.
• Faculty and Staff: Loans or other items that are physically delivered (whenever possible articles will be delivered electronically) will be sent to their office via Inter-office mail or you can select to have their items picked up at the College of Staten Island Library Circulation desk. Please contact the ILL office with your preference.

How Long Can I Keep the Material?

Photocopies, unless otherwise noted, are yours to keep. Documents delivered electronically are available for download for thirty (30) days after first received. Loans of books and other materials may generally be kept for three (3) weeks unless otherwise noted on the book strap. If you need to use the material longer, please sign into your interlibrary loan account and renew the item directly.

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

Direct all system problems or interlibrary loan questions to the Interlibrary Loan office at (718) 982-4014/4076 or e-mail to ill@csi.cuny.edu

How May I Reach the ILL Office?

• Office of Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
• College of Staten Island Library
• The City University of New York
• 2800 Victory Boulevard, 1L-106A
• Staten Island, New York 10314
  • Email: ill@csi.cuny.edu
  • Phone: 718-982-4014/4076
    • Andrew Leykam, Coordinator of Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
    • Email: Andrew.leykam@csi.cuny.edu
    • Phone: 718-982-4076