Student Training

ALEPH Borrowing

OCLC WorldShare Borrowing

The workflows below begin after the initial request has appeared in ALEPH ILL. The initial requests can either be user-generated through the library catalog, or staff-generated manually in ALEPH.

Borrowing Workflow for Physical Items (Books, DVDs, etc.)

1. Use ALEPH ILL to request the item from ODIN Libraries.

2. If no ODIN Libraries own or can supply the item, manually add MINITEX as a supplier, and attempt the request in ALEPH ILL again.

3. If MINITEX cannot supply the item, attempt a request in OCLC WorldShare.

Borrowing Workflow for Electronic Items (usually PDF files of articles or chapters)

1. Use ALEPH ILL to request the item from ODIN Libraries.

2. If ALEPH ILL can't locate the item in any ODIN Libraries, search the article title using Google Scholar.

a. You may be able to find a free, open access version of the article in Google Scholar. If so, supply this to the patron. If not, move on to step 3.

3. Manually add UNIVOFMN_TC as a supplier in ALEPH ILL, and attempt the request again.

4. If UNIVOFMN_TC cannot fill the request, attempt a request in OCLC WorldShare.

What is MINITEX?

Minitex is a publicly supported network of academic, public, state government, and special libraries working cooperatively to improve library service for their users in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Libraries in North Dakota participate in Minitex programs through a contract between Minitex and the North Dakota State Library.

Using MINITEX as an ILL supplier, VCSU is able to request items from libraries in Minnesota and South Dakota. MINITEX acts as an intermediary; add MINITEX as an ILL supplier, and MINITEX staff will then send the request on to any potential suppliers in MN and SD.