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COMM 3315 - Research Methods

How to find the best journal articles for your research assignments.

What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

Interlibrary Loan is a service in which one library (such as the Cornette Library) borrows a book, etc. from another library for the use of an individual (you!).

Generally, there is no charge, but you will be contacted in advance to authorize a fee if there will be one.

Delivery could take as little as a couple of days or as much as three weeks. See here for more information about Interlibrary Loan. Click here for our ILL FAQs. For our Interlibrary Loan policies click our Library policies section then select the Interlibrary Loan.

Create an Interlibrary Loan Account

To use Interlibrary Loan (ILL), you must first create your account.

  1. Go to the Cornette Library homepage
  2. Click on the link to "Services"
  3. Click on Interlibrary Loan Request
  4. If you are a first-time user, click on the button to "Create Account" and read the copyright notice
  5. Click on the button "First Time Users Click Here"
  6. Fill out the New User Registration form

How Do I Find Other Articles That Are Not Full Text?

A search using Discover will first ONLY display articles that have the full text available.  If you need to find more articles for your research, try the steps below.

After searching a topic, look at the facets under Tweak my results.  Check the first box listed.  It may state Expand My Results.  Later, new wording may refer to ILL.

If an article states No full-text, it may be requested via ILL (Interlibrary Loan).

Click on the article title and view the information under Get It.  Click on the link to Request this article from Interlibrary Loan.

How Do I Request an Article via ILL?

 The ILL department will need this information to find an article for you:

  • author of the article
  • title of the article
  • title of the journal
  • date or volume/issue of the journal
  • page numbers of the article

 You may submit your request online in two ways:

  • Link to pre-filled Interlibrary Loan form that is available in most results lists of the databases 
  • Online Interlibrary Loan Request Form.

How Will I Receive an Article via ILL?

After you submit a request for an article to ILL:

  • Allow up to 1 week for an article to arrive.
  • You will be notified by WTAMU email or phone when the article, if available, arrives.
  • Some articles may delivered as PDF attachments via your WTAMU email.
  • Articles may also be delivered online:
    • in that case, you will receive an email notification.
    • log in to your ILL account.
    • retrieve the item under "View/Download Electronically Received Articles."
    • you must download/print these articles within 30 days.
  • Rarely, articles will be received as photocopies:
    • they can be picked up at the Interlibrary Loan / the Access Desk.
    • there will be no charge for the photocopies.
    • the articles are yours to keep.