Student Training

Search other libraries in Primo

1.    Navigate to the  All ODIN Libraries tab on Primo, the Library's catalog.

2.    Perform a search for the item (use author, title, and/or subject).  If an item is owned by VCSU, it should appear in this list as well.

3.    If there are too many results, refine the search with the options on the left.

4.    Locate desired item in list and click the title to see the item’s information.

 

Locate the Item

5.    When the item information screen comes up, scroll down and click on Request at the bottom of the record.  See, for example, the follow search for the writer "Sam Harris:"

Log In

6.    If the patron has not already logged in, the system will provide a prompt to do so.  (Clicking on the link pictured below will open up a familiar blue login screen):

7.    User ID/Barcode is student ID Number or barcode number (23106…). Password is usually your last name. Click on My Account.  Students may also use their NDUS Username and password.

8.  Once the patron has logged in, the following form will appear:

9.    Check the information and make sure the Not Needed After date is correct.  This date refers to the moment at which the patron can no longer make use of the item.  It is advisable to recommend that the patron should be generous with this date, because most items take between 5-10 business days to arrive (if the lender accepts our requests in the first place).

10.    Click Request at bottom of form.

11.    A patron will be prompted to agree to a Copyright Statement.  Clicking I Agree will submit the request.

 

Requesting an Item Not Owned by ODIN Libraries in Worldcat:

 

12.  If your ODIN search has been unsuccessful, the item will need to be located in Worldcat.

13.  A patron may request an item for ILL directly through the Worldcat interface.  To request an item, click on the item title in the search results list to open the record.

14.  If a patron is searching around VCSU's campus, it is likely they will be connected to the Valley City State University network.  Patrons may simply click the Request item link pictured below to begin the request process:

 15.  This link will open up a very brief form which patrons will need to fill out.  Once this is complete, the item will appear in our OCLC ILL queue.  Here is the form pictured below:

ILL department will fill request and contact the patron when item arrives.

First: Search for the Article in Primo

1.    Navigate to the Articles+ tab on Primo, the Library's catalog.

2.    Perform a search for the article (use author, title, and/or subject).  If an item is owned by VCSU, it should appear in this list as well.

3.    If there are too many results, refine the search with the options on the left.

4.    If you cannot discover the article, click the Expand My Results option on the left side of the results page:

Locate the Item

5.    When the item information screen comes up, scroll down and click on Request at the bottom of the record.  See, for example, the follow search result for "Video games" which is not available in our collection:

6.  Click Services to view what options are available.

7.  A menu will appear.  If full-text is unavailble, the option will appear to request the item through VCSU Interlibrary Loan.  Click this link to request the item:

8.  The system will prompt you to log in.  The  User ID/Barcode is student ID Number or barcode number (23106…). Password is usually your last name. Click on My Account.  Patrons may also use their NDUS Username and password.

9.  An ODIN Classic form will appear.   Pay special attention to the bottom portion of the form:

10.   The field Until what date are you interested in the material corresponds with the Not Needed After date in the instructions above.  This date refers to the moment at which the patron can no longer make use of the item.  It is advisable to recommend that the patron should be generous with this date, because most items take between 5-10 business days to arrive (if the lender accepts our requests in the first place).

11.  Recommend that students change the Preferred Media to Copy (electronic) and to change their Media Send Method to email.  This will ensure that lending libraries do not literally print and mail the requested document instead of simply scanning and emailing a PDF.

Second: Search Google Scholar

12.  If you failed to locate the item using the above method, search for the title (in quotation marks) in Google Scholar.

13.  If your search is successful, you will see an entry matching your search in the search list.  Occasionally, you may get lucky and discover a link to the PDF avaialble for free online:

Third: Submit a Blank Form through Your Account

14.  If the item is unavailable for free online, use the following steps to request it using a blank form:

15.  Click on My Account on the Library's Hompage (under services), logging back in if necessary.  You can also login directly in the upper-right hand corner of Primo.  (Remember:  User ID/Barcode is student ID Number or barcode number (23106…). Password is usually your last name. Click on My Account.  Students may also use their NDUS Username and password.

16. Click on Request ILL - Articles link in the menu bar on the left side of the Account page.

17.  You will be prompted to fill out a form--Please provide as much informatoin as possible.

ILL department will fill request and contact the patron when item arrives.

How long does it usually take for the item to arrive?

Shipping and processing times vary greatly, so it can take anywhere from one day to one month.  Usually for books and other physical items it takes 3-5 business days, and for e-mailed articles it takes 2-3.  A good rule of thumb is the more libraries that own the item, the easier and quicker it is to borrow through interlibrary loan.

How do I request an ILL book or other physical item?

Go to the VCSU library website (library.vcsu.edu).  Click on ODIN Library Catalog.  Find All Libraries in the dropdown menu.  Type the item’s information in the blank and click on Find.  If you get too many results, refine the search with the options on the left.  When you find the item you’d like to request, click on the title.  Scroll down and click on the Login link below the Request Item heading.  In the pop up box, type your ID number and last name in the two blanks.  Click on Log in; then, click on Request.  Fill out the information in the pop up box.  Pay close attention to the Not Needed After line.  Click Create ILL Request. 

How do I request an ILL article?

Search for the periodical and log in using the same steps as above.  Click on Request when you find the periodical for which you’re searching.  Fill out the information in the pop up box.  Make sure you fill in the article title, page numbers, and date or volume and number.  Click Create ILL Request. 

How can I track my requests?

In the ODIN Library Catalog, click My Account at the top of the page.  Log in using your ID number and last name.  Click on Interlibrary Loan Requests. 

How do I cancel an ILL request?

Follow the above instructions.  Scroll down until you find the item you’d like to cancel.  Click on the Cancel button.  Please do this as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary work for the two libraries involved.

How will I know when the item has arrived?

Watch for an e-mail from library.ill@vcsu.edu.  For community patrons, the interlibrary loan person will call to inform you.  The interlibrary loan person will also contact you with major updates concerning your interlibrary loan request. 

How long can I keep my ILL item?

The lending library determines the date the item needs to be returned, so it may be different from our library.  If you’d like to see the due date on you item, log in to My Account and find the request in the Interlibrary Loan Requests tab.  Copies of articles are yours to keep.

How can I renew an ILL item?

In My Account, find the request in the Interlibrary Loan Requests tab.  Click on the Renew button.  Check back in a couple days, and if the due date hasn’t changed, please return the item.  Keep in mind other libraries have different due date and renewal policies.

Why wasn’t my request filled?

There are many reasons a request goes unfilled.  Some are as follows:

• The item is very new and popular, so the other library may want to keep it for their patrons.  If you still need it, we can try again in a month or two.
• The item is very rare, like genealogical items and old books, so the other library would be concerned about losing it.  If you only want a part of the item, they may be willing to copy some pages.
• Certain media types aren’t lent as freely.  Some libraries don’t lend certain types of media, such as audiovisuals, microfiche, and etc., so they’re often very difficult to borrow.

Is there a limit to the number of items I can request?

Faculty, Staff, Students, and Emeritus can request 75 items in a year and 25 at a time.  Community patrons are allowed 20 per year and 10 at a time.

I searched for the item in VCSU’s catalog and in all ODIN libraries and couldn’t find it.  Can I still get it?

Often times, we can find the item through a WorldCat search.  Make sure to have the item’s information and contact the interlibrary loan person or a reference librarian.