Services and Facilities

ILL FAQs 

Where can I get ILL help?   

See our how-to guide, contact ILL, or contact the library 

How do I place requests? 

Place requests using the ILL request form , while searching Novanet , or searching the library databases

What can I request on ILL?   

ILL will try to borrow any material another library is willing to supply

Some materials can be more difficult to borrow or take longer, but we will try to borrow:

• Full journal issues
• Rare, old, valuable, and reference materials
• Textbooks and required course readings
• DVDs, CDs, microfilm/fiche, and other audiovisual formats
• Recently published books

How long does it take?   

Copies typically arrive in 1 to 3 business days, loans in 1 to 2 weeks. Many factors affect delivery time (eg. how many libraries we try, how fast they respond). Check your MtA email for delivery and pickup notices

How do I get my ILL item?   

Copies can be downloaded from an emailed link. Loans must be picked up at the R.P. Bell Library

What if I want multiple articles/chapters from one item?   

Copyright limits systematic copying. If more than a short excerpt (eg. an article from an issue, a chapter from a book) is requested we will suggest a loan or ask that you select your priority copy

Why can't I log in to the ILL request form?  

Usual reasons include:

• Overdue loans and/or unpaid fines: check your account for overdue and that all of your fines have been paid
• Wrong login info - use your Single Sign On  account info: email address & password
• Your library account may have expired

To check the status of your library account: contact Access Services  circ@mta.ca |  506-364-2568

Can I get ILLs renewed?   

Novanet loan renewals are automatically done up to 3 times if there are no requests

For loans marked with yellow bookband, renewals are at the discretion of the supplying library; some never allow renewals, others may, depending on the item. Request a renewal by emailing ILL before the item is due to allow time for communicating with the supplying library

What does recall mean?   

A recalled ILL means the supplying library needs the item; we must return it immediately. If your ILL is recalled and you are not finished with it, return it and place a new request for the item; we will then try to find a different library to supply

ILL Help Guide

How to log in to your account

Choose your login type

MtA Students and Staff: enter your email address and password, same as for email and Self Service

Other sign in options: Alumni and Community Borrowers: Enter your library card barcode number and password Can't remember your password? Select 'Forgot Password' and enter your library card number in the User ID field, then Send; check your email and follow reset prompts 

Placing a Request from a Known Citation

Optimal Method

• Use Citation Search  
• Choose Article or Book 
• Enter citation details 
  • For best results, include a title, ISSN, ISBN, DOI or PMID
• Click SEARCH (it will search Novanet for the specific item)
• Request the item if needed

Alternate Method

• Use the Blank ILL form 
• Check the 'I only need a specific chapter or pages' if a copy of an article or chapter is needed
• Enter citation details 
• Choose a pickup institution and library
  • NOTES
    • The pickup institution can be set to any Novanet library for items supplied from Novanet libraries
      • If supplied from outside of Novanet libraries the pickup will revert to MtA libraries
    • A pickup library is required for copy requests however delivery is via email 
• Add any additional information is needed, agree to the usage terms, and click SEND REQUEST

Placing Requests in Novanet

• Sign in to your library account in Novanet (if you have not already done so)
• Scroll to the Availability & Request section of the item record and see request options:
  • Request Item: place a request on locally held item
  • Request Chapter or Article: request a chapter or article be scanned from the item
  • Request from other libraries: request the physical loan or a copy from the item from other library
• The citation should import into the form
• Add additional information if relevant, agree to usage terms, and click SEND REQUEST 

Placing Requests in Library Databases    

• Check the Find Full Text @ MTA or Find @ MTA links to see if the item is available in another MtA database or in print 
• If not held in another source scroll to the Availability & Request section of the item record select Request from other libraries
• The citation should import into the form
• Add additional information if relevant, agree to usage terms, and click SEND REQUEST 

Placing Requests in Worldcat Discovery

Search just MtA Libraries or add Libraries Worldwide using Worldcat Discovery. For items MtA doesn't have, look for the ILL request link under Access Options top right 

Requesting Renewals on Loans 

Novanet items that can be renewed are renewed automatically up to 3 times if there are no requests. Email notifications indicate new due dates and unsuccessful renewals

For loans supplied by libraries outside of Novanet - items marked with a yellow bookband - email  nbsam@mta.ca to request the renewal. We must ask the supplying library if they can permit it. If they do, they set the new due date. Loans may be recalled, and if so, must be returned immediately.