Getting Materials from Other Libraries
There are now two different methods of fulfillment for non-Poly articles, chapters, books, and conference proceedings:
- Resource Sharing within the Primo VE discovery service for SUNY-held items, and
- ILLiad for items needed from outside of SUNY
Resource Sharing within Primo
Our SUNY libraries work together to provide fast, easy access to millions of physical and digital items in our catalogs through Resource Sharing.
When you search for a book/chapter or article in Primo, you’ll be able to see if there are other SUNY campuses who own it. Log in to Primo with your SITNet ID to make your Resource Sharing request.
You’ll be sent an email when your item arrives, and it will be available for pickup at the Cayan Library circulation desk, or emailed directly to you.
Interlibrary Loan with ILLiad
To borrow materials from outside the SUNY system, you can access ILLiad software.
When you need to request a journal article, book chapter, or conference proceedings, or when you need to request a book that isn’t held in any SUNY library, your request is processed through ILLiad.
Log in to ILLiad with your full SUNY Poly email address and SITNet password to access your account and submit requests. You can also click “request via ILLiad” in Primo to access ILLiad. You’ll be sent an email when your resource is available for download or pickup.
For online resources, you can click the link in your notification email or log on to ILLiad with your full SUNY Poly email address and SITNet password to view all your requested items and download them as you please. For books and physical resources from outside the SUNY catalog, you can pick up your items at the Cayan Library Service Desk or have them shipped to you.
Confused?
It’s okay! We’re here to help. Contact us at ill@sunypoly.edu or call 315-792-7248 with any questions about access to non-Poly articles, chapters and books.
Who can request material through interlibrary loan?
SUNY Poly students, staff and faculty may request material via interlibrary loan. If you have an active SITNet ID you can make a request in ILLiad or Primo Resource Sharing.
Is there a limit to the number of requests I can make?
There’s no limit to the number of materials you can request
How long does it take for materials to arrive?
Digital items like articles and chapters are most often received via email within 24 hours, excluding weekends. Physical items, such as books, that have to be shipped to campus typically take 7 to 10 days
How will I know when my item arrives?
You’ll be sent an email as soon as we receive your material, either notifying you where to download it or to pick it up at the Cayan Library Service Desk. If you'd like your item sent to you via campus mail, just let us know, ill@sunypoly.edu
Where do I pick up and return books?
Books can be picked up and returned at the Cayan Library Service Desk. The library will also ship books to your home address upon request.
How do I access articles that have arrived?
First, you can click on the URL included in the email notification you received, which will take you directly to your article.
If your request was processed through ILLiad, you can also log on to ILLiad, click on "Received Articles," and then click on the "Transaction Number" of the article you want to see.
How long can I keep items?
Resource Sharing items borrowed within Primo have longer lending periods, usually 16 weeks. Check the paperwork that comes with your book for the due date, or log into Primo to view your requests and due dates.
In ILLiad, the journal articles download link will expire at the end of your loan period (usually 30 days). All physical items must be returned by the date chosen by the lending library. Most books borrowed via ILLiad are due back in 3 weeks, although this varies by lending library. Check the paperwork that comes with your book for the due date, or log on to ILLiad to view delivered items and due dates.
Can an item be recalled early, before the due date?
Yes, a lending library has the right to recall its item at any time. If you get a recall notice, you must return the book immediately.
How do I renew items?
Renewals may be possible and you are welcome to request renewal of your items, but this decision is at the discretion of the lending library, not Cayan Library.
Resource Sharing: Submit a request for renewal via Primo by logging into your account and hitting the “Renew” button on the item you’d like to renew. If your item has no other holds on it, and the lending library agrees, you’ll be able to renew your item; if not, you must send it back. Ask the library to try to get you another copy of the same item by sending the transaction number to ill@sunypoly.edu.
ILLiad: Log on to ILLiad and click on the Checked Out Items link. Click on the Transaction Number of the item you want to renew, and then click on the "Renew Request" link. The lending library will either approve or deny the renewal, at which time you will receive an email letting you know the renewal due date. If the renewal is denied, the item must be returned to the Cayan Library. You can place a new request for the same item by logging into ILLiad. Make sure you check back regularly to ensure the due date the system shows is correct -- there have been issues reported with this before.
What happens if I lose or damage an interlibrary loan?
You are responsible for fees and fines if you lose or damage an interlibrary loan book. Please let us know as soon as possible if you have misplaced a book, or if you have damaged a book, and we will work with the lending library to come to the most agreeable resolution; however, you will still be responsible for the costs associated with losing or damaging the book.
Is there a charge to request?
No. Requests are free! If we cannot get your requested item for you, we will notify you via email.
Can I request material the library owns?
Yes. If we find we own an item you’ve requested via Resource Sharing in Primo or via ILLiad, we will send it to you according to your preferences.
Can I request textbooks?
Yes, textbooks may be requested via both Resource Sharing in Primo and ILLiad. However, here are some points you should consider:
- there is no guarantee you will get the book you request, and you may not know that for several days
- some items have a very short lending period, sometimes only a few weeks
- at most, books loaned from other libraries can be renewed only one time
- the decision to allow a renewal is made by the library that owns the book, and there is no guarantee a book can be renewed
- it is illegal to photocopy or scan most of or all of a book
Make sure you look at the Textbooks on Reserves page to see if your textbook is already available. Course reserve textbooks are available to borrow, and use in the library, for a 2-hour period.
If the textbook you need is not on the course reserves list, contact library@sunypoly.edu and we’ll see what we can do to help you gain access.
Do I have to use email?
Yes. Important messages about ILL activities -- e.g., to pick up material, download articles, and to return overdue material, etc. -- are sent to you via your SUNY Poly email.
Why is my account blocked?
Typically, accounts are only blocked if a book is long overdue or lost, and you have not been in contact with the ILL department about this. If your account is blocked, please contact us as soon as possible and we can find the best resolution.
How do I check the status of my requests?
For Resource Sharing requests, sign in at the top right of this page to check status.
Check the status of your requests by logging into ILLiad and reviewing the main page, which lists all your outstanding requests. Sometimes this information is limited. If you want more details or have any concerns, please contact us at ill@sunypoly.edu.
What are your policies for borrowing libraries?
Cayan Library's policies for borrowing libraries can be found here.
When are ILL Services Available?
The ILL department is staffed M-F whenever the library is open, and closed Saturdays and Sundays. However, SUNY Poly users may request materials at any time. If the requested item is an article or chapter, the request may be automatically processed and delivered as soon as the lending library supplies the article.
