What is I-Share?
I-Share is available to patrons of Buswell Library through Wheaton’s membership in the I-Share consortium, which provides access to the books/resources of 65 libraries in the state of Illinois. The request that you place goes directly to the libraries that hold the resource. I-Share libraries primarily lend books, but occasionally will also lend microforms and audio/visual materials.
Items not available through the I-Share catalog can be requested through OCLC ILL via a database such as WorldCat, ATLA Religion, PsycINFO, etc. The request goes to the Interlibrary Loan office in Buswell Library, which in turn requests the material from the libraries that hold it. These requests can be for books, articles, microforms, audio/visual materials, etc., and can be obtained from libraries in-state, out-of-state, and, occasionally, out of the country.
I-Share is usually faster than OCLC ILL because it eliminates the need for an intermediary.
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Why are some items I've requested not in my account?
A request for an article will not appear in your My Account. The article will be delivered electronically – you will get an email containing a PIN number with which you can access your article. You will be contacted by the Interlibrary Loan office if the item is determined to be unavailable.
An ILL request also might not be in your My Account because none of the libraries that own an item are willing to lend it. Such a request would have been placed via the I-Share catalog using your 14 digit barcode, and would have shown up in your My Account as Pending or Outstanding for at least a few days. If the last library that owns the item cannot send it, your My Account will indicate the reason why the item cannot be sent for a time period ranging from a few days to a week. After that, the request will simply vanish from your My Account page.
In order to prevent confusion, it is important to keep track of the ILL requests that you place and how you place them. If an item was requested through I-Share, you should watch your My Account until each item you request shows a status of In Transit, which indicates the item has been shipped. If the item cannot be obtained through I-Share, it can usually still be obtained through a database such as WorldCat, and should be requested that way. A status report on requests placed through the databases is always available from the Interlibrary Loan Office.
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What is the Library Borrower ID that I need to place requests through I-Share?
The library borrower ID is found on your college-issued ID card. The number can be found under the barcode and is fourteen digits long. For Wheaton College patrons, this number will begin 23124…
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How do I renew my I-Share books?
I-Share books can be renewed online at your My Account. If a book cannot be renewed (you will know immediately) you can contact the lending library directly and request an extension. Renewals are available at the discretion of the lending library.
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How can I track requests that I placed through a database?
The only way to track requests placed through a database is to contact the Interlibrary Loan Office. You can request a status report by calling or emailing the office, or stopping by.
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What is the turn-around time for I-Share/OCLC ILL requests?
Books requested through I-Share usually arrive in 3-7 business days, while books requested through a database can take 5-10 days. Articles can take 2-10 days to arrive.
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What rush services are available?
Books cannot be rushed, but, a Wheaton College student, staff, or faculty can visit any I-Share school and check books out.
Articles can often be rushed, but need to be brought to the attention of the Interlibrary Loan Coordinator. Just placing a request through a database will not ensure that your article will appear when you need it. An email or a visit to the Interlibrary Loan office will help. Next-day service is not guaranteed.
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How much does Interlibrary Loan cost?
There is usually no charge for acquiring books or articles through Interlibrary Loan. If there is a charge, due to a lending library’s policies, the Interlibrary Loan office will contact you for permission to proceed with the order.
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How do I renew my OCLC ILL books?
These books, which show a title of Interlibrary Loan - Call 630-752-5843 or email ill@wheaton.edu for renewal, cannot be renewed through your My Account – you must contact the Interlibrary Loan office. They can usually be renewed at least once, for a period of about three weeks. As with I-Share books, renewals are available at the discretion of the lending library.
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How do I pay fines on my account?
Fines from Wheaton College can be paid at the circulation desk of Buswell Library.
Fines from other colleges/universities must be paid directly to that institution. Most will accept check or credit card payment. If contact information does not appear on your bill, it can be obtained through either the interlibrary loan office or the circulation desk.
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