Prince William (VA) Public Library System
Welcome to Interlibrary Loan!

ILLiad Help

Common ILLiad Questions

ILLiad Help

Canceling a Request

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  • Logon to ILLiad using your username and password.
    • Under Review Requests click the"View Outstanding Requests" button.
  • Select the request that you wish to cancel by pressing the appropriate transaction number button at the left of the page. You will then see
        detailed information about that request.
  • Press the "Cancel Request" button in the top right hand corner of the page. This will automatically cancel the request.
  • The Main Menu will then reappear displaying a message confirming the cancellation of your request.
  • You can resubmit cancelled requests from the "View/Resubmit Cancelled Requests" button.
  • When you are finished using ILLiad, please exit by clicking the button labeled "Exit ILLiad System" at the top of the Main Menu.

    • Changing a Password  (Note: Passwords are case sensitive)

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  • Logon to the ILLiad system using your current username and password.
  • Once logged on, the Main Menu will appear. Scroll down the page and click the button "Change Password". 
  • Enter your current password and your new password. 
  • Click the button "Submit Information". 
  • The Main Menu will then reappear displaying a message confirming that your password has been successfully changed.
  • When you are finished using ILLiad, please exit by clicking the button labeled "Exit ILLiad System" at the top of the Main Menu.

    • Changing Your User Information

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    You can change the following information by choosing "Change User Information"

  • Name
  • Preferred Notification Method
  • E-Mail Address
  • Phone Number
  • Pick-up location


    • To save changes, click the "Submit Information" button at the bottom of the page.

    Editing a Request

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  • Logon to ILLiad using your username and password.
  • Click the button "View Outstanding Requests"  to display your active requests.
  • Select the request you wish to edit by pressing the appropriate transaction number button at the left of the page. You will then see
        detailed information about that request.
  • Click the button "Edit Request" at the top right hand corner of the page to open a request form. To edit the request, enter the
        additional information in the appropriate fields.
  • Click the button "Submit Request" at the bottom of the page.
  • The Main Menu will then reappear displaying a message confirming that your request has been updated successfully.
  • When you are finished using ILLiad, please exit by clicking the button labeled "Exit ILLiad System" at the top of the Main Menu.


    • Note: The request can be edited as long as it has not been sent (this can be determined by checking the status of the item at the bottom of the page).

    First Time Users

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  • First time users must enter their patron information before they can logon to ILLiad. 
  • Select the "First Time Users!" link to take you to a registration page.
         (If you have already used ILLiad, please do not logon as a First Time User again. ILL staff can reset your password or remind you of your username.)
  • Click the button "First Time Users Click Here" at the bottom of the page.
  • A New User Registration Form will appear. Enter as much information as possible. Fill out the required fields (these are in red)!
  • Enter your lastname,firstname (this is your username).Please remember your username is case sensitive.
  • Choose a password. Make it something you can remember. Please remember your password is case sensitive.
  • After entering your user information press the button "Submit Information" at the bottom of the page. 
  • If an error has been made, an error message will appear at the top of the page. If necessary, fix the needed fields and "Submit Information" again.
  • Once your information is accepted, an Edit Account Information screen will appear.  Click the "Add Account" button, then the "Exit to Main Menu" button.
        Your Main Menu will then appear.
  • You should now be able to use ILLiad. When you next logon you will need to enter only your Username and password ILLiad.Please remember that your
        Username and password are case sensitive    .
  • When you are finished using ILLiad, please exit by clicking the button labeled "Exit ILLiad System" at the top of the Main Menu.

    • Requesting a Book  (Loan)

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  • Logon using your username and password. The Main Menu for ILLiad will appear.
  • Click the button "Request a Book" to open a request form.
  • Enter as much information about the item you are requesting as possible (Title is a required field). The more information given, especially the ISBN or
        OCLC number, the faster the searching process will be for the Interlibrary Loan staff.
  • Please enter the maximum fee you will authorize.  You must enter at least 0.00.
  • If you have additional information, enter that information in the notes field.
  • After entering all the information, click the button "Submit Request". If you have made a mistake, simply edit the field in question. If you have
        already submitted the request see Editing a Request.
  • The Main Menu will then reappear.
  • When you are finished using ILLiad, exit by clicking the button labeled "Exit ILLiad System" at the top of the Main Menu.


    •     Please remember to submit a request for each item. 

    Requesting a Photocopy  (Article)

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  • Logon using your username and password. The Main Menu for ILLiad will open.
  • Click the button "Request a Photocopy" to open a request form.
  • Enter as much information about the item you are requesting as possible. Required fields include: Title (of the journal) and the Article Title. The more information given, especially the ISBN, ISSN or OCLC number, the faster the searching process will be for the Interlibrary Loan staff.
  • Please enter the maximum fee you will authorize.  You must enter at least 0.00.
  • If you have additional information, enter that information in the notes field.
  • After entering all the information, click the button "Submit Request". If you have made a mistake simply edit the field in question. If you have already submitted the request see Editing a Request.
  • The Main Menu will then reappear.
  • When you are finished using ILLiad, exit by clicking the button labeled "Exit ILLiad System" at the top of the Main Menu.


    •     Please remember to submit a request for each article and pages of a book.

    Requesting a Microform

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  • Logon using your username and password. The Main Menu for ILLiad will appear.
  • Click the button "Request a Microform" to open a request form.
  • Enter as much information about the item you are requesting as possible. Required fields include: Country/State and date. The more information given,
        the faster the searching process will be for the Interlibrary Loan staff.
  • If you have additional information, enter that information in the notes field.
  • Please enter the maximum fee per reel you will authorize.  You must enter at least 0.00.
  • After entering all the information, click the button "Submit Request". If you have made a mistake, simply edit the field in question. If you have
        already submitted the request see Editing a Request.
  • The Main Menu will then reappear.
  • When you are finished using ILLiad, exit by clicking the button labeled "Exit ILLiad System" at the top of the Main Menu.


    •     Please remember to submit a request for each item.

    Requesting a Dissertation or Thesis  (Loan or Purchase)

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  • Logon using your Username and password. The Main Menu for ILLiad will appear.
  • Click the button "Request a Dissertation" to open a request form.
  • Enter as much information about the item you are requesting as possible. (Title is a required field). The more information given, especially the
        ISBN or OCLC number, the faster the searching process will be for the Interlibrary Loan staff.
  • Please enter the maximum fee you will authorize.  You must enter at least 0.00.
  • If you have additional information, enter that information in the notes field.
  • After entering all the information, click the button "Submit Request". If you have made a mistake, simply edit the field in question. If you have
        already submitted the request see Editing a Request.
  • The Main Menu will then reappear.
  • When you are finished using ILLiad, exit by clicking the button labeled "Exit ILLiad System" at the top of the Main Menu. 


    •     Please remember to submit a request for each item.

    View/Modify Outstanding Requests

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    Outstanding Requests are requests still in process. They do not include items that are checked out, cancelled, or articles that you have already received. 

  • Logon to ILLiad using your username and password.
  • Click the button "View Outstanding Requests". Select the appropriate transactions number button for the request to display a detailed information page.
  • From here you may edit the request by changing information or providing additional information. See Editing a Request.
  • You may also check the status of a request by selecting the appropriate transaction number button and scrolling to the bottom of the page.
        View Explanation of ILLiad Statuses.
  • "Return to the Main Menu" for further transactions.
  • When you are finished using ILLiad, exit by clicking the button labeled "Exit ILLiad System" at the top of the Main Menu.

    • View Checked Out Items

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  • Logon to ILLiad using your username and password.
  • Click the button "Checked Out Items" to view all the requests checked out to your username.
  • Select the appropriate transaction number button for the request you wish to view. You will then see detailed information about that request.
  • You can check the due date
  • Return to the Main Menu for further transactions.
  • When you are finished using ILLiad, please exit by clicking the button labeled "Exit ILLiad System" at the top of the Main Menu.

    • View/Resubmit Cancelled Requests

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  • Logon to ILLiad using your username and password.
  • Click the button "View/Resubmit Cancelled Requests" to view all the requests that have been cancelled.
  • Select the appropriate transaction number button for the request you wish to view/resubmit. You will then see detailed
         information about that request providing the reason for cancellation.
  • You can resubmit the cancelled request by selecting the button "Resubmit Request" at the top right-hand corner of the screen.
        (You should only resubmit the request if you have more information about the item, were asked to retry within a
        certain time frame, or have had a search done through the Information Desk on an item we own and it
         has been declared missing.)
  • A request form will open with the request's previous information. Edit what is necessary, then click the button
        "Submit Request" at the bottom of the page.
  • The Main Menu will then reappear displaying a message confirming that your request has been updated successfully.
  • When you are finished using ILLiad, exit by clicking the button labeled "Exit ILLiad System" at the top of the Main Menu.

    • Common ILLiad Questions

    Why can I not logon?

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    There are several reasons you may be having trouble logging on to the ILLiad Request System:

  • You have entered an incorrect username or password. Usernames and Passwords are case sensitive.
        Check the caps lock - did you have the caps lock on when you registered to use the ILLiad Request System?
        Did you add a space between your last and first names?
  • You have you forgotten your username or password.
        If you can not remember your username or password please call the Interlibrary Loan office (703) 792-4894. Interlibrary Loan staff members can tell you
        your username or reset your password. Please do not re-register as a first time user. 
  • You have clicked the button "Logon to ILLiad" more than once.
        This slows the system down. Please do not click any button more than once. 

    • Where are my requests? I can not find them.

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  • View Outstanding Requests -- Use this button to view, edit, or cancel those requests that are still in process.
  • View Checked Out Items -- Use this button to view or renew item checked out to your username.
  • View/Resubmit Cancelled Requests -- Use this button to view or resubmit any request that has been cancelled either by Interlibrary Loan staff or you.
  • If you have trouble locating a request please contact the InterLibraryLoan office or phone us at (703)792-4894.

    • How do I check the status of a request?

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  • Logon to ILLiad using your username and password.
  • Click the "View Outstanding Requests" button to view all the requests still in process on ILLiad.
  • Select the appropriate transaction number button for the request you wish to check the status for. You will then see detailed information.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the page.
  • To see an explanation of ILLiad statuses see Explanation of ILLiad Statuses.
  • When you are finished using ILLiad, please exit by clicking the button labeled "Exit ILLiad System" at the top of the Main Menu.

    • Should I request a book (loan), a photocopy

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    These are the basic steps to decide if you need to request a book, a photocopy, microform, dissertation or thesis:

  • You should use the "Request a Book" button to request the loan of an entire work. Examples include books or conference proceedings. Note that periodicals are
        usually not available as loans from other libraries. If you need articles from a periodical, submit an article request for each article you need from a periodical.
  • You should use the "Request a Photocopy" button when the item you want is an article within a journal or pages within a book. Photocopies become your property
        and do not have to be returned to the Prince William Library System. 
  • You should use the "Request a Microform" button to request a loan in the format of a microform reel or microfiche. Examples may include newspapers, state,
        country or city records, census microform.
  • You should use the "Request a Dissertation or thesis" button to request a loan or purchase of a dissertation or thesis.
    •