ILLiad is the name of an electronic resource sharing software program used by the Library. An ILLiad account is necessary in order to place requests for ILL materials beyond the URSUS and MaineCat systems. If you do not currently have an ILLiad account, you can create one here.
Who can use the Library's Interlibrary Loan Service?
University of Maine at Machias faculty, staff and registered students are eligible to use Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services. All other users, including Courtesy card holders, should use the ILL services of their local public or school library.
The Library ILL dept. makes every attempt to obtain requested items at no or minimal cost to the user. When we cannot obtain items at no charge from a library, some costs may be passed on to the user. The Library will not pass on charges more than those authorized on your request.
In some instances, you may be asked to confirm that you want an item that the Library ILL will be paying for on your behalf for materials otherwise not available without fees.
In most cases, staff order item(s) from lending libraries within 2 working days of receiving patron requests. The turnaround time for an item ordered on ILL depends largely upon the location of the lending library, and the accuracy of the information you have supplied on your request form. Requests with incomplete citation information may take longer to process, or may be returned to the patron for further information.
You will be notified if it is not possible to fill a request by the date specified as "not useful after." Please do not list a date that is less than two weeks from the date of your request
ILL requests are submitted via a user's ILLiad account.
Please check URSUS and MaineCat holdings before submitting ILLiad requests. Please fill out forms completely so that staff can fill your requests as quickly as possible.
How many requests may I submit?
There are currently no limits to how many requests patrons can submit. However, ILL staff will limit processing excessive requests from a patron in order order to attend to requests from other patrons.
What items cannot be requested through Interlibrary Loan?
Patrons cannot order textbooks through interlibrary loan. Orders for textbooks will be cancelled by ILL staff.
ILL does not request articles from journals that are held in the Library unless the Circulation Department staff have determined that the issue or article is missing, or if URSUS indicates the volume/issue is at the bindery and will not be available within the next week.
Videos, audio cassettes, and genealogy from other libraries often do not circulate. You may request dissertations through Interlibrary Loan but it may not be possible to obtain a borrowed copy. Most dissertations can be purchased from UMI Dissertation Publishing. Inquire at the Information Desk.
How will I receive my interlibrary loan material?
ILL staff notify patrons by email when loans are ready for pick-up at the main Circulation desk. Items on the hold shelf will be shelved under your last name. You will receive an email notification when articles are delivered to your ILLiad account. They will be available for 30 days.
Loan periods and renewal options are set by the respective lending libraries and can vary widely. Faculty do not get semester loans for interlibrary loan books.
Interlibrary loan books are not listed in your circulation record. Your ILLiad account is your record of all books and photocopies you have requested through Interlibrary Loan. Please return interlibrary loan books at the Circulation desk. To be sure your book makes its way safely to the interlibrary loan department and to aid with return processing, please leave the interlibrary loan book slip in the book.
I'll need my ILL book for more time. How do I request an extension or a renewal?
You can request a renewal through your ILliad account. The lending library sets the policy of whether renewals are allowed, and for how long.
What are the overdue penalties?
Replacement charges for the non-return of ILL material are a minimum of $45.00 per item. Books returned late may be subject to a $10.00 fine.