When researching a topic for a thesis or dissertation, you will want to find all information that is available about that topic, not just what is available in MSU Libraries. With Interlibrary Loan, MSU students, faculty, and staff may borrow books and journal articles from libraries throughout the country.

ILLiad (InterLibrary Loan internet accessible database) allows users to submit requests and view the status of their requests from any computer with an internet connection. The first time you use the service, you will have to fill out an online profile.

If MSU Libraries has a reciprocal borrowing agreement with the other library, then you may borrow the book or article free of charge. Occassionally, an item can only be found in a library with which MSU Libraries does not have such an agreement, and in such cases, there may be a charge for borrowing the item. To access ILLiad, go to the library's hompage and click on "Borrow/Order Materials".

The time it takes to receive items requested through Interlibrary Loan varies. Journal articles can be received within a few days in many, but not all, cases. Books generally take longer because they are sent by mail.

Another compontent of ILLiad is "Library Express." If you need a copy of an article, book chapter, etc. from an item that the library has in its collection, you can use Library Express to have the library make a copy for you. There is a charge of $.25 per page for this service, but a reduced rate of $.15 per page is available to distance education students and faculty and staff who work outside of the Starkville area.

 

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