Rapid Inter-Library Loans
University of Cambridge users:
Rapid ILL (or Request a Digital Copy Service)
What does it do?
The Request a Digital Copy Service enables Current Staff and Students (including: NHS, ICE and CTF) to place requests via iDiscover for articles and book chapters not held in the Cambridge Collection and receive them in an electronic format.
Can I use this service?
As of today, all eligible patrons have had the ability to place requests enabled on their patron accounts.
Is there a guide to this service?
More information can be found at this LibGuide.
What is the benefit?
This a semi-automated service which operates on a 24 hour turn-around. Within 24 hours the user will either receive a download link to the item, or it will be rejected with the user prompted to request the item via existing Inter-Library Loans services.
How is Request a Digital Copy Service different from an Inter Library Loan?
- The system automatically assigns a supplying Library from those that hold the item- there is no direct contact between us and the supplying Library.
- Material will only be accessible via a URL in a digital format (though the PDF can be printed)
- The service isn’t chargeable as it is expected to be reciprocal. ‘Lending’ from Cambridge collections is something we will begin working on.
- This isn’t a replacement of Inter-Library Loans, it is designed to quickly supply items which are readily available from other institutions.
Why have I not heard of this service before?
This service is new to Cambridge and is fairly new across the UK but has a larger International base.
Where has this service come from?
RAPID ILL (RAPID Inter Library Loans) which we are calling Request a Digital Copy Service is part of Alma.
If making a request using the new service fails please use the following standard service to make your request.