Illiad Frequently Asked Questions

What is ILLiad?
How does ILLiad improve the interlibrary loan services I receive?
Are there any disadvantages to the electronic system?
Why do I need a username and password to use ILLiad?
What if I forget my password?
What Web browser should I use?
Is security a problem if I use a public workstation?
Why don't I see all my older requests when I look at my request history?
What is Electronic Delivery?
Who do I contact if I have problems with or questions about ILLiad?
Why does my browser say that you're sending a cookie? What's in it?
My question is not on this list!

What is ILLiad?
ILLiad is the electronic system you use to request an item through Interlibrary Loan. The name ILLiad can be thought of as an acronym for InterLibrary Loan internet accessible database.

How does ILLiad improve the interlibrary loan services I receive?
1. You will find it easier to submit your interlibrary loan requests. With ILLiad, you enter your name, address, and other personal information into the system only once, at the time of your registration.
2. Your request will be handled more rapidly and accurately as problems relating to misinterpretation of hand-written requests are eliminated.
3. You can get many of your photocopies more quickly through Electronic Delivery.
4. You can get information about the status of your request through the Web at any time from any location without having to call the ILL Department.
5. Library personnel are able to serve you better because all data about your request and its handling is stored in a searchable database. We are able to respond quickly to your inquiries about your request. We are also able to gather statistical information about the performance of the libraries that lend to us, enabling us to make better decisions when choosing a lender to supply an item.

Are there any disadvantages to the electronic system?
Some people might find it troublesome to have to log into ILLiad using a username and password. We believe this is less trouble than traditional paper and electronic systems which require you to enter your personal information with each new request.

Why do I need a username and password to use ILLiad?
Your unique username and password allows us to give you secure access to your ILLiad account and information about your interlibrary loan requests. We can also enable you to edit your personal information such as your address or phone number. Your username can be anything you like, such as your name, abbreviations, or an alphanumeric code. Your password also can be anything you like. We recommend that you follow good security practice and choose a password that is different from those you use to access other systems. However, no one but you will know your password, not even the library staff. The password you set is stored in an encrypted file.

What if I forget my password?
During registration you are required to enter a password hint. The password hint may help you recall your password later. Attempting to log on with an incorrect password or with the password field left blank will cause your hint to be displayed. In the event that you are unable to recall your password, please do not attempt to register for a second time; contact Interlibrary Loan to have your password reset. You may stop by in person, call 314-977-3991, or send e-mail to xlcirc@slu.edu. ILL office hours are Monday - Friday; 9:30 am - 6:00 pm. ILL can then reset your password allowing you access to ILLiad. Please remember to change your password once you log on to ILLiad.

What Web browser should I use?
You need a Web browser that can handle forms and tables. We recommend either Netscape Navigator version 3.0 or greater or Microsoft Internet Explorer version 3.0 or greater. Both browsers are available for the all Windows and Macintosh O/S operating systems. Netscape Navigator is also available for UNIX. You may try other browsers but as a caveat, ILL has tested ILLiad with only Netscape and Internet Explorer.

Is security a problem if I use a public workstation?
Yes. Web browsers cache information and create a history file on the local workstation. This feature can allow a subsequent user of the workstation to access the system under your name using the browser's Back button to recall a page from the cache, or by finding a page with your personal information in the browser's history file. If you are concerned about the security of your interlibrary loan requests, you can take the following steps:

1. Access ILLiad only from your personal computer or an otherwise secure workstation.
2. Access ILLiad from a computer lab in the library.
3. When using a public access workstation:

• Delete from the history file those pages that contain your personal information.
• Exit from the Web browser before you leave the workstation. This prevents the Back button from accessing the pages you were using.
• Always log out from ILLiad at the end of a session

Why don't I see all my older requests when I look at my request history?
From time to time we purge older records from ILLiad. Our policy is to keep requests online for several years in order to comply with recordkeeping requirements of the copyright law.

What is Electronic Delivery?
Many libraries ship photocopies of articles to us in electronic format. In the past we printed these articles before delivering them to you. Now, through ILLiad, you have the option of electronic delivery of these articles in PDF format (Adobe's Portable Document Format). You can read more about electronic delivery in the Electronic Delivery FAQ.

Who do I contact if I have problems with or questions about ILLiad?
The Interlibrary Loan Department, located on the first floor of the Omer Poos Law Library behind the circulation desk, will help you solve problems and answer questions. Advanced assistance ( e.g. password resets and reinstatement of services) is handled by ILL during regular business hours. You may stop by in person, call 314-977-3991, or e-mail xlcircl@slu.edu

Why does my browser say that you're sending a cookie? What's in it?
The Active Server Pages technology that we use to provide live reporting for the web sends a Session ID to be stored locally on your machine. You can refuse this cookie and still be able to use ILLiad without any problems. The cookie helps expedite the reporting of your transactions but is not required to use ILLiad.

My question is not on this list!
The Interlibrary Loan Department, located on the first floor of Omer Poos Law Library behind the circulation desk, will help you solve problems and answer questions. You may stop by in person, call 314-977-3991, or e-mail xlcirc@slu.edu.