What is the difference between InterLibrary Loan (ILL), I-Share, and ILLiad?

Interlibrary loan (ILL) is the service the library provides to get you materials from other libraries and I-Share and ILLiad are the tools used to provide that service.

When the library does not have the item you need, you can often borrow that item from another library with an interlibrary loan request. The Cullom-Davis Library works with libraries around Illinois, the country, and the world to share items. Interlibrary loan (ILL) is the term to describe libraries sharing materials with each other.

The Cullom-Davis Library has 2 options for requesting an item through interlibrary loan: I-Share and ILLiad.

• I-Share is the primary way for students, faculty, and staff to request books (or other physical items) from over 90 other academic and research libraries in the I-Share network. By requesting the book/item through I-Share the lending library sends the item to the Cullom-Davis Library for the requestor to check out and use.
• ILLiad is the primary way for students, faculty, and staff to request articles from libraries all over the world in this network. When you request an article through ILLiad, an electronic copy of the article is shared in your ILLiad account for you to download and save. If a book is not available in I-Share it can be requested through ILLiad. When you request a book, the item is sent to the lending library sends the item to the Cullom-Davis Library for the requestor to check out and use.

If you need assistance with an interlibrary loan request, please contact the research help desk.

Additional FAQs regarding using I-Share and ILLiad are linked below.