ILL FAQ

Help! I found a book but it is not at Seton Hall, what do I do?

We have a couple of services to help get you that item!

First, check EZBorrow. This system searches a shared catalog of about 60 academic libraries and allows you to request books directly from them. Books are shipped via UPS and normally arrive in about 3-5 days. EZBorrow books are available for checkout for the entire semester. 

If the book is not found in EZBorrow, try ILLiad. This service, called Interlibrary Loan or ILL, allows us to search libraries worldwide and attempt to find a lender for you. Processing in ILLiad generally takes longer than EZBorrow and the lending library sets the return date. 

Don't worry if you put your request into ILLiad before checking EZBorrow, we can check for you. It's just a little faster if you do it yourself. 

How long does it take to get a book?

EZBorrow books normally arrive at the library in 3-5 days. If the request is sent out via ILLiad it will take longer and we cannot guarantee delivery times.

How many books can I request?

There is no limit on how many books you request, but we will only place 10 mediated requests a week per patron. Meaning if items are requested through ILLiad we only place 10 requests for you each week. This is a popular service and we want to make sure we are providing equitable ILL access to everyone. Plus do you really want to have to carry 20 books at once?

What is an ISBN?

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique identifier given to each book. An e-book version and a physical version of the same item will have different ISBNs. If you include or look up a book with an ISBN it can help you (and us!) find the exact item you are looking for quicker. 

Where do I get my book?

When your book is ready for pick-up, you will receive an email notification. The book can be checked out at the circulation desk on the 2nd floor of Walsh Library. 

How long can I check the item out for? 

EZBorrow books can be checked out for 112 days, with no renewals. Return dates for ILL books are set by the lending library and may allow renewals. 

Can I borrow an e-book?

Not yet, but we are working on it. Publishers have placed restrictions on e-book lending, but we are working to get those restrictions loosened. 

What is my password?

Use your SHU ID and password to log in to both EZBorrow and ILLiad. If you are having problems with your password, please contact IT at x2222.

Anything else I should know? 

Yes, requests you submit for journal articles and books should include as much citation information as possible. Incomplete or inaccurate bibliographic information can delay processing and fast retrieval of items.

This is okay, but I would rather watch a video on this. Do you have one? 

Yes, we do! You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/ADna0P7s1nk

I don't want the whole book, just this chapter. Is it possible to just get the chapter? 

Yes, you can request a book chapter in ILLiad. The system will generally recognize a book chapter request based on the page numbers or other details in the citation. There is also an option to select Book Chapter from the New Requests menu on the main ILLiad page.

How long does it take?

Delivery times can vary. The majority of book chapters are delivered back to you within 24 hours. If we cannot find a lending library in the first 24 hours, it might take some extra investigation, which will take longer to get to you. Many factors can impact delivery times: availability of the book, staffing levels, and workloads at other institutions, technology issues, and human error. Don't worry we are still working on it though! 

How many book chapters can I get?

If you are requesting more than two chapters from the same book, we ask that you request the whole book. There is no limit on how many book chapters from multiple books you can request, but we will only place 10 mediated requests a week per patron. Meaning if items are requested through ILLiad we only place 10 requests for you each week. This is a popular service and we want to make sure we are providing equitable ILL access for everyone. 

What is an ISBN?

An ISBN is a unique identifier given to each book. An ebook and a physical book will have different ISBNs. These are helpful when books have similar names. If you include an ISBN it can help us find the exact time you are looking for a little quicker. 

Where do I get my book chapter?

You will get an email when your book chapter is ready for pick-up. Log into ILLiad and it will be listed under "Electronically Received Articles." You can then download a pdf or view it online. 

How long can I check the item out for? 

Book chapters remain in your ILLiad account for viewing and downloading for 30 days. After that it is erased off our system. You should download a copy to your computer. 

What is my password?

Use your SHU ID and password to log into ILLiad. If you are having problems with your password contact IT at x2222.

Anything else I should know? 

Yes, requests submitted for journal articles and books should be as accurate as possible because incomplete or inaccurate bibliographic information could delay processing and fast retrieval of items. Plus it makes our lives easier. 

Help! I found an article but the site says I have to pay, what do I do?

First try searching for the article title in SHU Search from the library homepage: https://library.shu.edu/home

Help! I found an article, but it is not at Seton Hall, what do I do?

If it does not come up you can request it through ILLiad and we will work with our partner libraries to get you a copy.

How long does it take?

I hate to say that depends, but it depends. The majority of articles are delivered back to you within 24 hours. If we cannot find a lending library in the first 24 hours, it might take some extra investigation, which will take longer to get to you. Don't worry we are still working on it though! 

How many articles can I request?

There is no limit on how many articles you request, but we will only place 10 mediated requests a week per patron. Meaning if items are requested through ILLiad and we have to look for the chapters, we only place 10 requests for you each week. This is a popular service and we want to make sure we are providing access to ILL for everyone equitably. 

What is my password?

Use your SHU ID and password to log into ILLiad. If you are having problems with your password contact IT at x2222.

What is an ISSN?

An ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is a unique identifier given to each magazine/journal/periodical, known collectively as serial publications. ISSNs are helpful when publications have similar or very common  names. If you include an ISSN it can help us find the exact publication you are looking for a little quicker. An ejournal and a physical journal will have different ISSNs.

Where do I get my article?

You will get an email when your article is ready for pick-up. Log into ILLiad and it will be listed under "Electronically Received Articles." You can then download a pdf or view it online. 

How long can I check the item out for? 

Articles remain in your ILLiad account for viewing and downloading for 30 days. After that it is erased off our system. You should download a copy to your computer. 

Anything else I should know? 

Yes, requests submitted for journal articles and books should be as accurate as possible because incomplete or inaccurate bibliographic information could delay processing and fast retrieval of items. Plus it makes our lives easier. 

This is okay, but I would rather watch a video on this. Do you have one? 

Yes, we do! You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/8357pu-3OT8