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ILL MeLCat and Document Delivery: Interlibrary Loan (Tipasa)

Resource Sharing options including Interlibrary Loan, MeLCat, and Zahnow Electronic Document Delivery. Guide author: Thom Zantow

To make interlibrary loan even easier, please stop at the first-floor circulation desk and register your SVSU id card with the library.

Quick Facts and Links

Quick Facts

  • Have questions or problems?
    • Email: svsu_library@svsu.edu
    • Call: 989-964-4240 (Circulation Desk)
  • Use Tipasa to track the progress of ILL requests
  • Lending libraries call the shots in terms of how long books can be checked out, if a renewal is permitted, etc.
  • Lending libraries reserve the right to recall books at any time for any reason.
  • If your request requires special attention contact Thom

Tipasa Status

- Awaiting Copyright Clearance = Not yet processed by ILL
- Awaiting Request Processing = Not yet ordered by ILL 
- Thom Problem = Request requires special handling
- Hey Thom = Routed for Thom's attention
- Request Sent = Request has been forwarded to potential lending libraries.  NOTE: Tipasa does not indicate when the library actually commits to sending materials to us
- Delivered to Web = Article ready for download
- Awaiting Customer Contact = Item received, not completely processed
- Customer Notified by Email = Ready for you to pick up from the Library
- Checked Out to Customer = You already picked it up from the Library

Quick Links

  • Tipasa to submit requests directly or to check on status of ILL requests
  • WorldCat to see what libraries might have what you want
  • MeLCat to use MeLCat to request items instead of Tipasa (ILL)

Using Tipasa (ILL)

Placing a Tipasa (ILL) order

  • From a database:
    • Locate the citation for what you want
    • If the database has a link for "Get it with Tipasa" click on it, otherwise
      •  Click on "Find Text" icon
      • Click on "Request this item through Tipasa (interlibrary loan)"
    • Login to Tipasa at prompt using SVSU username and password
    • The request form will already be filled out
      • If you have special needs, include them in the "Notes" field
    • When finished, click on the "Submit Request" button at the bottom of the page
  • Directly onto Tipasa
    • Log onto Tipasa using SVSU username and password
    • Under "New Request" on left side menu select "Photocopy (Articles)" for journal articles or book chapters.  Use "Book" for everything else
    • Fill out as much information as is practical.  Please do not guess at abbreviations!
    • When finished, click on the "Submit Request" button at the bottom of the page

Getting Articles to you

  • When possible articles will be made available to you in PDF format.
  • An email notification will be sent with a direct link to the article. 
    • Alternatively logon to Tipasa
    • Under "View" on left side menu select "Electronically Received Articles"
    • Click on icon in "View" column to open document
  • Articles will remain on the server only two weeks: either print or save a copy of the document as soon as is practical

Getting everything else to you

  • An email will be sent when the item has been received.
  • Students taking courses at a remote SVSU campus will have materials mailed to their home.  You are responsible for getting them back to us by the due date.
  • Everyone else will be able to check their materials out at the Library 1st floor Circulation Desk

Renewing books, etc.

  • In Tipasa under "View" on the left side menu select "Checked Out Items"
  • Click on the Transaction Number of the item and click on "Renew Request" at the top of the page
  • Please note that lending libraries reserve the right to decline a renewal request.

"Recalled" books

  • Lending libraries have the right to ask that their books be returned at any time
  • This "recall" process trumps any due date and must be honored immediately
  • Our failure to honor their request may result in losing access to their collections
  • Until the book is returned all Library privileges will be suspended. 

Returning ILL materials

  • Return ILL materials to the Library 1st floor Circulation Desk with book band, etc.
  • Overdue fines are $0.50 per day
  • Overdue items that are a required text for any SVSU course will be billed immediately for the higher of the replacement cost of the book or the cost of the book through the SVSU bookstore.  Library processing and billing fees will be added and are non-refundable.
  • For all other items, the lending library determines replacement costs for lost, damaged, and significantly overdue materials