Skip to Main Content

SURF Help Guide

How Can I Get the Full Text?

Sometimes the full text of an article is not instantly available in OneSearch or a library database, but you can use Google Scholar and Interlibrary Loan to help you get the full text.

Interlibrary Loan (or ILL for short) is a co-operative tool that helps library users (like you!) get access to articles and more from other libraries. Here at SMCM, we use a system called ILLiad to help us fulfill your requests for materials we don’t have.

Interlibrary Loan with ILLiad

What is Interlibrary Loan?

When you click the “Request article/book from Interlibrary loan” link, either through OneSearch or from the blue link on the article page in the database, you are automatically directed to the Interlibrary Loan interface. Interlibrary Loan (or ILL for short) is a co-operative tool that helps library users (like you!) get access to articles and more from other libraries. Here at SMCM, we use a system called ILLiad to help us fulfill your requests for materials we don’t have. Log in with your barcode number as your username and your chosen password. For more info see: What is my barcode?

ILL Request from OneSearch:

 

ILL Link to Request from database:

:

Never used it before?

Follow the “First Time Users” link to set up an account! For more info see: Why can't I log into ILLiad? 

 

Submitting an Interlibrary Loan Request

When clicking the link from OneSearch, your request is automatically generated with some basic information; add as much information as you can about the article you are requesting. Then click “Submit Request.” 

Pro tip: The more information you include, the easier it is for us to fulfill the request! You can find additional information about the article on the database page. Not sure? Ask a librarian or email us at ask@smcm.libanswers.com

Requests are generally fulfilled within one business day. You’ll be notified by email when your request is fulfilled and you can follow the link in your email to download your article!

Pro tip: requested articles expire from ILLiad after 30 days. Be sure to download your requested articles to your computer, flash drive, or Google Drive!

Requesting an Interlibrary Loan for Items Not Found in OneSearch or Library Databases

What if you need to request something that’s not from a database? If you find a great looking source in a reference list, or through Google or Google Scholar (or any where else) you can still use Interlibrary Loan to request it!

Logging Into ILLiad

Log in using the “Interlibrary Loan” button on the Library website: library.smcm.edu. Log in with your barcode and password. For more info see: What is my barcode?

Never used it before?

Follow the “First Time Users” link on the ILLiad homepage to set up an account! For more info see: Why can't I log into ILLiad? 

 

Submitting a New Interlibrary Loan Request

Once you are logged in, under the “New Request” menu, select the type of source you are requesting and fill out the form. Not sure what to put in the form? Email a librarian at ask@smcm.libanswer.com, and we’ll be happy to help you!

Pro tip: this tutorial focuses on articles, but this is also how you can request books not available through the USMAI catalog.

Finding SMCM Full Text with Google Scholar

Link directly to full text articles available through the SMCM Library from Google Scholar search results!

From the Google Scholar home page:

  • Click the menu icon in the upper left corner. It looks like three stacked horizontal lines
  • Go to Settings
  • Go to Library Links & search for "St. Mary's College of Maryland"
  • Select "St. Mary's College of Maryland - FindIt@SMCM" & "St. Mary's College of Maryland - ProQuest Full Text"
  • Save preferences
  • When searching,click the FindIt@SMCM in Google Scholar results to link to the content through the SMCM Library!

Interlibrary Loan FAQs