ILL Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Questions:

Technical Questions:

• 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?
• Why does my browser say that you're sending a cookie? What's in it?
• Further questions?

What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) offers Library customers the opportunity to request and receive books that are not owned by Jacksonville Public Library (JPL). Through ILL, you have access to the circulating book collections of all the library systems in Florida, as well as universities and public library systems throughout the United States.

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.

What are my Username and/or PIN?

During registration, you will be asked to choose a Username and Personal Identification Number (PIN). Your Username must be your Library Card (FJP#). If you lose or replace your library card, you must contact Interlibrary Loan for a new ILLiad account. You may create a PIN of your choice, between 6-8 alphanumeric characters long, but no longer than 10. Your PIN will be encrypted in ILLiad, so only you will know it.

What do I do if I forget my PIN or it doesn't work?

Both your Username and PIN are case sensitive. For example, if you type in your PIN: ILLIAD, you must always type it in upper case letters. If you type your PIN: illiad, it will not work. This is also the case with your username (your library card number).

If you've forgotten your PIN or still can't access your account, contact the Special Services Department at 630-2986 or e-mail the Special Services staff for help at ill@coj.net. The staff will reset your PIN for you. You will then be able to access your account and change your PIN.

Who can request ILL items?

ILL services are available to anyone holding a valid Jacksonville Public Library (JPL) card.

How do I request ILL items?

There are three methods of requesting ILL items:
1) Online. Requests for books can be placed at the Main Library or any branch via WorldCat on FirstSearch.
2) Mail or Fax.You can mail or fax ILL request forms directly to the Special Services Department
3) Telephone. To place your request by telephone, call the Special Services Dept. at (904) 630-2986. (We can only accept 3 requests by telephone at one time.)

How many items can I request?

You may have a total of ten (10) requests outstanding (at any stage of the ILL process: checked out, requested, in transit, etc.) at one time.

How do I receive ILL items?

Requested material will be delivered to the Main Library or the branch of your choice. You will be contacted when the material is available for pickup. Please bring your library card to check out the material.

My ILLiad account shows I have books out and I don't. Why?

The View/Renew Checked Out Items page of your ILLiad Account shows a list of all items either on the way to the Main Library or the branch you chose as your pick-up location AND/OR ILL items currently checked out to you on your library card account. When we receive the item/s you requested, they are automatically 'checked out' to your ILLiad account. When you pick up circulating ILL items from the Customer Service desk at your pick-up location, the ILL materials must be checked out on your library card. For information on non-circulating library materials, please see What are “Restricted Materials?”.

Do I have to pay to use ILL?

With few exceptions, there are no fees incurred in using ILL to obtain an item. However, any item received via ILL service is subject to the same fees/fines placed on similar items owned by JPL. In addition, libraries which loan material to JPL may place additional fines/fees.

In the case that a lending library charges to lend their materials, you will be made aware of the charges before we request the material. You must pay these charges before the staff can give you the material. We require a check or money order for these charges made payable to the lending library. The lending library's name will be identified on the envelope attached to your copies when you pick them up. If you do not pick up the ILL materials, you are still responsible for the charges. Unpaid charges will be put on your JPL library card account and may affect your ability to use JPL services.

Please contact the Special Services Department for questions concering charges for loans.

What material may not be requested through ILL?

• Items currently owned by Jacksonville Public Library
• Newly published materials (materials less than one year old)
• Audio-visual material (Videos, Audio-Cassettes, 16mm Films, etc.)
• Textbooks for classroom use
• Books copyrighted or dated prior 1920
• Entire issues of periodicals
• Rare books or non-book materials
• E-books or e-documents/articles

What are "Restricted Materials"?

Most materials acquired through ILL may be circulated. Occasionally the materials you request may be designated by the lending library as restricted. This means that this material must be used in the library and cannot be checked out. You can however, use the material in the Jacksonville Public Library location of your choice. When you receive the restricted materials, you will be asked to relinquish some form of identification. This identification will be held until you return the material to the desk.

How can I obtain Census Microfilm?

Census microfilm not available at the Jacksonville Public Library must be rented through the National Archives. Cost will be incurred.

Can I request photocopies of material?

You may order photocopies of certain materials not available through ILL, such as magazine articles and reference materials. Photocopying charges may be incurred. We require a check or money order for these charges made payable to the lending library. The lending library's name will be identified on the envelope attached to your copies when you pick them up. If you do not pick up the photocopies, you are still responsible for the charges. Unpaid charges will be put on your JPL library card account and may affect your ability to use JPL services.

Please contact the Special Services Department for questions concering photocopy requests.

Can ILL items be renewed?

The renewal of ILL material is dependent upon the restrictions set by the lending library. If you desire a renewal, you must contact the Special Services Department (904-630-2986) at least three working days before the material is due. There is a limit of one renewal on any ILL material. Fines will be incurred for overdue materials.

How much does an ILL item cost?

While JPL does not charge customers for requesting an item through ILL, the lending library may place a charge on the item. Customers will be responsible for such charges.

If ILL materials are lost or damaged by customers, patronsare responsible for all fees assessed by lending libraries. Since these materials are not owned by Jacksonville Public Library, JPL staff cannot tell you what the cost will be. Inform the staff of the Special Services Department about the situation and they will contact the lending library who will assess any fees. The Special Services staff will contact you about the charges. Please be aware that charges for lost or damaged ILL materials often far exceed charges for similar lost or damaged JPL materials. Unpaid charges will be put on your JPL library card account and may affect your ability to use JPL services.

How long can I keep ILL materials?

ILL materials are different from normal materials when it comes to due dates. The lending institution sets the checkout period, which includes the transit time for the item's travel to and return from JPL. This is factored into the due date set for the item when it arrives at JPL. Another factor that may affect checkout periods is whether the institution that loaned the material issues a recall for the item. The customer will be notified that the item is being recalled, and that the item is expected to be returned immediately.

How do I return ILL materials?

ILL material can be returned to any library location. Please do not put Interlibrary Loan books in the bookdrop. To insure that you receive credit for returning the book, do not remove the lending label on the book.

What Web browser should I use?

You need a Web browser that can handle forms, tables, and, preferably, one that can handle frames. 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 Windows 3.x, Windows 95 or NT, and Macintosh O/S operating systems. Netscape Navigator is available for UNIX.

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 allows 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 public workstation in the library. These computers are supervised by the library staff.
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.

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 order to comply with record keeping requirements of the copyright law.

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 on your machine. You can refuse this cookie and still be able to use the ILL web pages and  ILLiad without any problems.

I returned my ILL books. Why are they still on my ILLiad Account?

When you return your circulating ILL materials, they will be discharged from your library card account. Materials will be taken off your ILLiad account after they have been returned to the Special Services Department at the Main Library.

Further questions?

If you have questions about your ILL request once it has been placed, please call the Special Services Department (904-630-2986). If you need any technical help you may contact the ILL office via phone or email at ill@coj.net.

Contact Information:

(Printable Interlibrary Loan forms require free Adobe Acrobat Reader plugin)

• Interlibrary Loan Form (Book)
• Interlibrary Loan Form (Photocopy)