The first step to accessing an item that our library does not own is to create an ILL account.
To do this, start at the library homepage, found at www.ferris.edu/library. At the home page, click on the Services menu at the top of the page, then click on Interlibrary Loan.
Once the page has loaded, select the link that reads "New to ILL? Create an account" to create your account.
After reading the registration screen, click the link at the bottom of the page to continue.
Create your account by filling out the required fields. Use your Ferris State University email when signing up for ILL, and note that the address you include will be the address that materials will be sent to per request if applicable. Update this address as needed.
You can also change your notification setting at the bottom of the page. You can get the notifications through email, text message, or both.
To request books and articles through SmartSearch, start at the library homepage and type in your topic to the SmartSearch text box.
You can tell if FLITE does not own the text by looking below the title.
To see further options to request an item sign in with your Ferris credentials.
If you would like an article that is not available directly through Full Text, select "No Online Access" below the title as seen in the screenshot above, or click on the title itself.
Click on Interlibrary Loan. You will be taken to the ILLiad login page. Sign in and complete the request. If you do not have an ILLiad account choose new user.
If you are an Off-Campus patron requesting an item that FLITE owns to be delivered to your home, you must be signed in to see the delivery options. Click on "How to Get" on the right hand side of the screen. Please check MeLCat first and choose for it to be delivered to your home library. If not available then use Interlibrary loan.
Using MeLCat the ISBN will populate the search box, click the arrow to search. If it states no catalog results found, then request via ILL.
Using ILL you will be prompted to sign into to ILLiad. If you are a new user choose first time user and fill out information to create an account.
Fill out the ILLiad form and submit request.
Another way to access ILL is through the individual databases. This example uses the database PubMed.
If you find an article that seems useful, click the "Find It" button on the upper right hand corner of the screen and log in to ILLiad.
Click the "Go" button next to "Request document via Get this for me (Interlibrary Loan)" and log in to ILLiad.
The citation is prefilled in for you. Scroll to the bottom of the page and submit your request.
You will receive an email or text message alerting you that your article has arrived on your ILLiad account.
In some instances, we have to cancel an item. You will be notified via email or text message explaining why the article was cancelled.
Once you have received confirmation that your article has arrived, login to your ILLiad account and under the "View" tab, click "Articles Received" to read the text. Click the "View" icon.
Your article will be available to read for 21 days after you have received it. Notice the expiration date on the right hand side of the page. Your article will not be available after this date.
If you are done using the article early, you can delete it from your "Received Articles". Simply click on the "Delete" button. If you accidentally delete an article you want, you are able to access it on the same day that you deleted it by clicking "Undelete" aove the list of articles.
If you have any questions about ILL, contact our ILL Library Assistant Susan Witte.
Susan Witte
Library Assistant
1010 Campus Drive
Office FLITE 210
Big Rapids, MI 49307
Phone: 231-591-3641
SusanWitte@ferris.edu
ILL staff hours are:
Monday-Friday: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
FLITE