What is ILLiad?

ILLiad is an electronic system that you may use to request material through the MLS Interlibrary Loan service. The name ILLiad can be thought of as an acronym for InterLibrary Loan internet accessible database.

Why do I have to enter my personal information to register for ILLiad? Can't you just get it from my library card?

ILLiad is not a part of the Metropolitan Library System's software; personal information cannot be transferred to ILLiad. You will only be required to enter your personal information once, the first time that you use ILLiad to create your username and password.

Why do I have to set up a username and password?

ILLiad requires that each user have a unique username and password so that Interlibrary Loan staff can be sure to match up the correct customer with materials.

What are the rules for usernames and passwords?

Your username and password can be anything you like. Metropolitan Library System recommends that you follow good security practice and choose a username and password that are different from those you use to access other systems. The password you set is stored in an encrypted file within ILLiad. No one will know your password unless you share it, not even the library staff.

If you choose, you may use your library card number as your username and your last name as your password. This is not required.

What if I forget my password?

In the event that you forget your password, please e-mail illiad.help@metrolibrary.org so that the ILL staff can reset it. Your password will be reset on the next business day (Monday-Friday), and you will be notified of your temporary password.

Once your password has been reset, please change it when you logon to ILLiad again.

Can I start requesting materials as soon as I register for ILLiad?

You may submit requests to borrow materials as soon as you have registered. Your requests will not be forwarded to other libraries until your registration has been authenticated. Authentication can take up to two business days.

If you do not hold a card type that allows you to use Metropolitan Library System's ILL services, you will be notified via e-mail or postal mail.

What does the ILLiad Status term of my request mean?

Here are definitions for the most common ILLiad Status terms:

Awaiting Copyright Clearance: Request is being reviewed by Metro ILL staff in order to determine if any copyright fees need to be paid to obtain the requested article.

Awaiting Request Processing: Metro Library ILL staff has received your request and is in process of searching for potential lenders for your request.

Delivered to Web: Your request is available from your personal ILLiad page where you can print or view the PDF document by selecting item from "Electronically Received Articles.";

In Electronic Delivery Processing: Your request has been received by Metro Library ILL and is being processed for web delivery to your personal ILLiad page.

Received Incorrect/Partial Item: Your request has been received but the item sent is either incorrect or incomplete, Metro ILL staff is in process of correcting the error.

Request Finished: Your request has been successfully filled and completed.

Awaiting Conditional Processing: The lending library has asked follow-up questions.

Request in Processing: Your request has been received by Metro Library and is currently being processed by ILL staff.

Request Sent: Metro Library ILL staff has placed an order for your request from a potential lending library and is awaiting shipment of the item to Metro Library.

*If the ILLiad Status term you have a question about is not included in this short list, please email Metro Library Interlibrary Loan at illiad.help@metrolibrary.org for more information.