FAQ - Interlibrary Loans

  1. I am having trouble logging in, or have forgotten my password
  2. How much does this service cost?
  3. What cannot be borrowed?
  4. I am getting an error message. What do I do?
  5. I could not find my item in the RACER catalogues, how do I submit my request?
  6. How long will it take for my request to arrive?
  7. Will I be contacted?
  8. How will I get my article?
  9. How do I check the status of my request?
  10. How long may I borrow the item?
  11. How do I cancel an Interlibrary Loan request?
  12. How do I set up and use my search profile?
  13. How do I see a list of all my requests?
  14. Can I use Interlibrary Loan to request hard copy (e.g. print, microfilm) of a title we have electronically?
  15. Where can I return my Interlibrary Loans?

1. I am having trouble logging in, or have forgotten my password

  • Ensure your login information is correct:
    • Login = your Western ID number (student, faculty, staff)
    • Password = password you created
    • Your Library = Choose "Western" from the drop-down menu
  • I have registered, and now I forget my password. What do I do?

2. How much does this service cost?

  • Generally, there is no charge for this service. If any charges do arise, you will be contacted by the Interlibrary Loans staff prior to your request being placed.
  • Fees may be paid by cash, cheque, or may be charged to a Western account.
  • In Weldon, Taylor or King's Libraries, fees may be paid by debit card, Visa or MasterCard.
  • All charges are due when the requested material is picked up.

3. What cannot be borrowed?

  • An entire issue or volume of a journal.
  • E-Resources (ebooks)
  • Rare, valuable or reference material may be difficult to obtain.
  • Items listed in the Shared Library Catalogue. Items currently on loan may be recalled.
  • On reserve or short loan material.
  • Audiovisual materials are borrowed through Media Booking.

4. I am getting an error message. What do I do?

  • If your sign-in error message is "Authentication Declined. Invalid Username and/or Password"
    • Enter your Western ID number (student, faculty, staff) as your login
    • Enter the password you created when you registered in RACER
    • Choose "Western" as your Library from the drop down menu
    • If you still cannot sign in, please contact the Interlibrary Loans Staff.
  • If your sign-in error message is "Your Account has expired"

5. I could not find my item in the RACER catalogues, how do I submit my request?

  • Use the Advanced Search with options such as title, author, subject or ISBN.
  • If you are still having difficulty locating the item within RACER, please complete and submit the RACER Blank Request Form located on the left side-bar under My Account.

6. How long will it take for my request to arrive?

  • Your request may come from anywhere in Canada, the United States or off continent.
  • Staff find the best source and arrange for the material to be delivered to campus.
  • If your request has a deadline, please note this in "special instructions" on the RACER form.
  • Photocopies are normally available within a week.
  • Loans usually take 1 to 4 weeks to arrive.

7. Will I be contacted?

  • Once you have registered for the first time on RACER, you will receive a confirmation e-mail.
  • You will be contacted by e-mail if additional information is needed for your request, e.g. charges apply.
  • You will be notifed by e-mail when your item has arrived.
  • You will be notified when your request is cancelled because:
    • the item is available at one of our Western Libraries
    • staff cannot find any library which will supply the item you need

8. How will I get my article?

  • In most cases, you will receive an email message explaining how to access your article electronically.
  • Sometimes, the format in which the article was received requires that a print copy be sent to your selected pickup location.

9. How do I check the status of my request?

10. How long may I borrow the item?

  • Your loan period for books or microforms is 3-6 weeks from the first e-mail notification confirming its arrival.
  • There are no renewals.
  • Material is subject to Recall.
  • Items "For Use In Library Only" must remain in the Library and be returned to the Service Desk before closing at the end of each day.

11. How do I cancel an Interlibrary Loan request?

  • Please contact Interlibrary Loans Staff with your request number.
  • Cancellations are dependant on the current status of your request.

12. How do I set up and use my search profile?

  • Within RACER:
    • Select Search Profiles (left side-bar under My Account)
    • Select Create, then name and describe your profile
    • Select your desired collections
    • Your profile has now been added to the list of searchable collections

13. How do I see a list of all my requests?

  • Sign into RACER, select My Requests located on the left side-bar under My Account
  • Under Requests List, select Show Everything
  • This lists all your past and present requests
  • Click on Details for further information

 14. Can I use Interlibrary Loan to request hard copy (e.g. print, microfilm) of a title we have electronically?

  • Yes, hard copy versions can be requested through ILL. Please indicate in "special instructions" on the request form that you require a hard copy version.

15. Where can I return my Interlibrary Loans?

  • You can return Interlibrary Loans to any Western Libraries' location or Affiliated University College Library.