Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about SourceFinder
SourceFinder FAQs
- What is SourceFinder?
- How do I use SourceFinder?
- What is the difference between Interlibrary Loan and Information Brokerage?
- How do I contact the SourceFinder staff?
User Registration
- Who may register?
- Distance Learner?
- Gateway/Alumni/Retirees?
- Why do I need to register?
- How do I register?
- Why would my registration be cancelled?
- Why do you need my NKU ISO number?
- Why do I need a username and password?
- Why do I have to use my NKU/KCTCS email address?
Requesting items via SourceFinder
- Before I place a request what should I do?
- How do I request items?
- The book/journal I need isn't on the shelf but is available according to the library catalog or is damaged. How do I get it?
- My citation is incomplete; can I still request the item?
- Which material may be difficult to receive via SourceFinder?
- What material may NOT be requested via SourceFinder?
- How much time does it take?
- Are there limits on the number of requests?
- What does this service cost?
- A Steely Library database citation says "Request via SourceFinder." What does that mean?
After submitting a SourceFinder request
- What happens after I submit my request?
- How do I find out when my requested item has arrived?
- Will I be notified if there's a problem?
- How do I check the status of my request?
- What does my item status mean?
- Why was my request cancelled?
My item is here
- Where do I pick up my book, media, thesis, etc?
- Where do I pick up my article?
- What is electronic delivery?
- My article is unreadable. What do I do?
- What is my due date?
- What if there are overdue fines?
- Can I renew my item?
- Why are there restrictions on requested Interlibrary Loan items?
- Where do I return the material?
Computer Issues
SourceFinder FAQs
What is SourceFinder?
SourceFinder is W. Frank Steely Library’s service for obtaining articles, books, media, etc. not held in Northern Kentucky University libraries’ collections. This free service is available to NKU students, faculty, and staff - provided the individual has no library fines. Limited SourceFinder services are available to Gateway students, faculty, and staff. After a request is submitted, the SourceFinder team determines whether to obtain the item through interlibrary loan or information brokerage services. The requester does not need to specify interlibrary loan or information brokerage. It is a seamless process to the requester, with the SourceFinder team making the decision as to which system to use.
How do I use SourceFinder?
SourceFinder provides you with your own personal account which allows you to make requests, view the status of your requests, renew items, and download your electronically delivered documents.
What is the difference between Interlibrary Loan and Information Brokerage?
Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary loan enables NKU faculty, staff and students to supplement NKU libraries’ resources by requesting materials from other libraries. For Gateway faculty, staff and students, interlibrary loan is limited to those libraries who will lend resources for free. Requests for interlibrary loan materials are made through SourceFinder. Requesters will be notified via email or phone when their item is available. Some materials may be difficult to receive or unavailable via interlibrary loan, such as older rare archival documents or current year media materials.
For NKU to maintain borrowing privileges for its SourceFinder customers, the limits and conditions of use established by each lending library must be observed. Damaged or overdue returns by SourceFinder customers may jeopardize our access to certain library lenders. All requests must comply with the copyright law http://www.copyright.gov/title17/ of the United States. W. Frank Steely Library reserves the right to refuse any order if, in our judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of this law.
Information Brokerage
Information Brokerage service picks up where interlibrary loan stops for NKU faculty, staff, and students. If an item cannot be obtained through interlibrary loan within a responsible time period, the request is transferred by the SourceFinder team to the information brokerage system. These items are obtained through library purchase or for free from publishers, authors, and other sources. If there is a cost for the item, the library will pay as listed below:
Articles: W. Frank Steely Library will pay the cost for all articles. If enough articles are requested from a single unsubscribed journal in a two year period, the library will subscribe to the journal to make it available from its collection for future requests.
Items: W. Frank Steely Library will purchase requested items (books, videos, microforms, etc.) to be added to the W. Frank Steely Library Collection if the item costs less than $100. Each user is limited to five Information Brokerage requests per fiscal year. When the five-limit has been reached, the requested item will return to interlibrary loan for an extended search at additional libraries. If no lender is located within a few weeks, the request will be cancelled. NKU SourceFinder customers may then suggest that the library consider purchasing the item for inclusion in its collection. If the item requires a special device in order to be used, the library will not order it unless the library has the device available for all library users.
When placing a request, the requester does not need to specify interlibrary loan or information brokerage.
How do I contact the SourceFinder staff?
See SourceFinder personnel in the library directory.
User Registration
Who may register?
All current NKU and Gateway faculty, staff and students can register for a SourceFinder account. Chase Law School faculty and students should use Chase Library interlibrary loan. Registrants must not have ANY fines on their account with W. Frank Steely Library and must have a valid NKU/KCTCS email address. NKU Distance Learners can also create an account, but make sure to register as a "Distance Learner," whether you are a graduate or an undergraduate student. NKU Alumni and Retirees are eligible too.
Distance Learner?
Distance Learners receive special borrowing privileges through SourceFinder. It is important to choose "NKU Distance Learning Patron" as your status whether you are an undergraduate or a graduate student.
The SourceFinder team will verify your status as a Distance Learner before we confirm your account. To qualify as a Distance Learner, ALL of your classes must be taken over the web or at a location outside the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region. See Steely Library website for more about Distance Learner eligibility @ http://library.nku.edu/students/distance_and_online/eligibility.php.
Requests will be sent to Distance Learners via U.S. mail or electronically from W. Frank Steely Library. This includes all books and journal articles located at W. Frank Steely Library. Distance Learners are asked to abide by the rules of W. Frank Steely Library and will accrue fines on overdue materials. Distance Learners are sent items directly from W. Frank Steely Library and are provided a pre-paid postage stamped envelope to return their items on time.
Please provide yourself ample time for this service. Typically, articles are delivered to your computer within 2 business days. Books and media from the W. Frank Steely Library will be shipped within 2 business days of the request. items that were requested first from interlibrary loan will take on average an additional 7 to 10 days.
If you have additional questions regarding your SourceFinder Distance Learner borrowing privileges, please contact the SourceFinder team.
Gateway/Alumni/Retirees?
The SourceFinder team provides limited access to all NKU Alumni and Retirees, and Gateway students, staff, and faculty. The SourceFinder team can request articles and materials that are free of cost to W. Frank Steely Library. Items or articles which W. Frank Steely Library has to pay for cannot be provided for Gateway constituents or NKU Alumni/Retirees. Please be sure to indicate your status as Gateway customer or NKU Alumni/Retiree when creating your SourceFinder account. All statuses will be confirmed.
Why do I need to register?
- To verify your user status
- To track your requests/materials online
- To retrieve requested articles
- To provide the SourceFinder team with your contact information
- It is convenient to request materials in the future, after you register once
How do I register?
Go to http://nku.illiad.oclc.org/illiad/logon.html and register as a first time user.
Why would my registration be cancelled?
- Your user status cannot be confirmed
- You have fines on account with W. Frank Steely Library
- Neither an NKU or Gateway email address is provided
Every registration submitted is researched by the SourceFinder team to confirm current student/staff/faculty status. All NKU retirees, alumni and distance learners are confirmed. All Gateway registrations are verified with Gateway. It is very important to correctly indicate your status when you register. All Distance Learners, either undergraduate or graduate, should choose "Distance Learner" as their status. All Gateway customers should choose "Gateway" as their status.
Why do you need my NKU ISO number?
The SourceFinder team uses your NKU ISO number to verify your eligibility for SourceFinder services. Your ISO number is located on your NKU All-Card.
Why do I need a username and password?
Your username and password will provide you secure access to information about your SourceFinder requests and account. Your personal account allows you 24 hour access to your requests and immediate information regarding your item’s status.
Your username can be anything you like, such as your name, abbreviations, or an alphanumeric code. Your password can also be anything you like. We recommend that you follow good security practice and choose a password that is different from those you use to access other systems. No one but you will know your password, not even SourceFinder personnel. The password you set is stored in an encrypted file.
Why do I have to use my NKU/KCTCS email address?
To avoid any breaks in communication with SourceFinder, your official NKU/KCTCS email account is required. All SourceFinder official communication will be sent to your NKU/KCTCS email address.
You can choose to forward your NKU e-mail to an off-campus service (e.g., Hotmail, Yahoo, AOL, etc.), but if this forwarding fails, you are still responsible for those communications. See http://it.nku.edu/ for more details.
Requesting items via SourceFinder
Before I place a request what should I do?
Books and Media
- Check the library catalog to verify that NKU does not hold the item you need.
- Use the WorldCat database to fill your request form more promptly and accurately.
Articles
- Check the library catalog to verify that NKU does not hold the item you need.
- Check A-Z journals for links to full text journals.
- Check our databases and indexes web page for articles.
- Check the third floor Public Service Desk if material needed is published by a federal or state agency.
Textbooks
- Titles listed on the NKU course textbook list cannot be ordered.
Thesis and Dissertations
- For thesis and dissertations, check the Dissertations and Theses database to access free full-text documents.
These simple steps will save time for you and assure timely delivery of your request.
How do I request items?
- Login to your SourceFinder account.
- Select the appropriate resource form for your request.
- Submit your manually entered request or select the SourceFinder link button from WorldCat, LinkSource, Ebsco, etc., database displays. More about this request entry option below.
- Click the submit button to complete your request.
The book/journal I need isn't on the shelf but is available according to the library catalog or is damaged. How do I get it?
Request the item through your personal SourceFinder account noting the reason for requesting an item owned by W. Frank Steely Library in the notes portion of the request. The SourceFinder team will verify your note and place the request.
My citation is incomplete; can I still request the item?
The more information you provide, the easier it is for the SourceFinder team to locate your request. If you are unable to fill in the required citation information, please use one of our reference and research assistance services. For more information about our reference and research assistance please see Ask Steely Library!.
Which material may be difficult to receive via SourceFinder?
- newly published materials (items less than one-year old)
- entire issues of newspapers or journals
- some theses and dissertations
- rare/archival materials
- some microforms
- foreign language titles
- some media materials (especially current year titles)
- items published before 1950
- video games
Please note: Media items such as films, music, and audio recordings, may be difficult to obtain. Many libraries will not lend media items through interlibrary loan. Consequently, requests to borrow such items may take additional time and are often not available. SourceFinder may be able to purchase some of these exceptional requests to add to the W. Frank Steely Library collection through our Information Brokerage service.
What material may not be requested via SourceFinder?
Textbooks titles listed on the NKU course textbook list cannot be ordered.
How much time does it take?
On average, interlibrary loan books, media, etc. arrive in 7 to 10 days. Items purchased via Information Brokerage arrive in approximately 10 to 17 days. Typically, most articles are delivered to your computer within 2 business days. If SourceFinder is unable to fill your request by your need-by-date, we will contact you by email.
If you have questions on how long an item is taking to be filled, please contact us.
Are there limits on the number of requests?
There are no limits to the number of requests you may submit via SourceFinder. However, when you enter over 20 requests per day, we ask that you prioritize your requests by using the Not Wanted After Date listed on the SourceFinder request form. During heavy traffic periods, we may require an additional business day to process these requests. There is a limit per NKU customer as to how many items our Information Brokerage service may purchase to add to Steely Library’s collection.
What does this service cost?
W. Frank Steely Library will pay for your requests. If you lose or damage an item or any part of an item (e.g. cases/CDs) you are responsible for the replacement charges. All lending libraries have the right to implement overdue fines on items that are returned late. Please renew/return your items before their due dates.
A Steely Library database citation says "SourceFinder Request." What does that mean?
When viewing database article citations, a "SourceFinder Request" icon or link may appear when full text is not available. By clicking this link your SourceFinder request form is filled out automatically. You will be prompted to enter your SourceFinder username and password. You must click the submit button to complete your request. If you leave SourceFinder open, you can continue to request without having to log in each time.
After submitting a SourceFinder request
What happens after I submit my request?
- After you submit your request, the SourceFinder team verifies your request citation before forwarding it on for retrieval.
- It is very important to send your request with all the information you can find. For example, volume, issue, page, and ISSN numbers are very important details to find your article.
- The SourceFinder team searches the library catalog - NKUIRE and AtoZ journals to verify that your item requested is not in the NKU Libraries’ collection. If located, the request is cancelled and the user is sent an email notification where to find their item.
- When the item is located and reaches our library, it is processed by the SourceFinder team. Items such as books and non-print media are given due dates.
- These items are then sent to the third floor W. Frank Steely Library circulation desk for pick up.
- Articles sent electronically to SourceFinder are uploaded to a server and notification emails are sent to the requester notifying them that their article is available to view and download.
- All requesters will receive an email notifying them of the arrival of their item or article.
How do I find out when my requested item has arrived?
You will be notified via email or by phone when your item is available for pick up.
Will I be notified if there's a problem?
You will be notified via email or by phone with questions regarding your request.
How do I check the status of my request?
- Login to your SourceFinder account
- Your request status will be located under "Active Requests"
What does my item status mean?
Awaiting Copyright Clearance -- Your article request has been submitted and it is awaiting copyright processing by the SourceFinder team to determine if any copyright fees need to be paid.
Awaiting Customer Contact -- This requested item has arrived and has been processed by the SourceFinder team, but the customer has not yet been informed that the item has arrived.
Awaiting Document Delivery --- Item is awaiting purchase approval from the SourceFinder team.
Awaiting Information from Customer -- An email has been sent to the requester and we are awaiting response.
Awaiting Information from Publisher -- An email/phone call has been placed with the publisher/author of the item for purchase information.
Awaiting Item from Vendor -- Item has been submitted to Acquisitions department for purchase. You can search the library catalog - NKUIRE to check the status of the order.
Awaiting Request Processing -- This requested item has been submitted by the customer and, if necessary, has gone through the copyright clearance process.
Awaiting Return Label Processing -- This item has been returned by the customer. It is currently awaiting return processing so that it can be returned to the lender.
Awaiting Unfilled/Conditional Processing -- This item could not be lent by the libraries from which it was requested, or they have placed a condition on the lending of this item.
Cancelled By Customer -- The customer has cancelled this request and no longer requires the requested item.
Cancelled By SourceFinder Team -- This request has been cancelled by the SourceFinder team and the customer has been notified of the cancellation.
Checked Out to Customer -- The requested item has arrived, has been processed by the SourceFinder team, and has been checked out by the customer. Until the item's status is changed to "Item Checked In," the customer is responsible for the item.
Customer Notified via E-Mail -- The requested item has arrived, has been processed by the SourceFinder team, and the customer has been notified of its availability via e-mail.
Customer Notified via Phone -- The requested item has arrived, has been processed by the SourceFinder team, and the customer has been notified of its availability via telephone.
Delivered to Web -- The requested item has arrived, has been processed by the SourceFinder team, and has been posted to the requesting customer's personal SourceFinder page, where it may be viewed and/or downloaded electronically via Adobe Acrobat Reader.
IB Second Search -- Item is awaiting second search for contact/purchasing information from SourceFinder team.
Information Broker -- Item is awaiting further searching and purchase approval from the SourceFinder team.
Item Returned -- The item has been returned to the lender.
On Order -- Item has been located for purchase and is on order from a vendor.
Received Partial/Incorrect Item -- An item was received that either does not match the item that was requested or is incomplete. The SourceFinder team will determine the quickest means to correct this.
Request Finished -- The entire request process has been completed successfully.
Request Sent -- This request has been sent to potential lenders and the SourceFinder team is waiting for the item to be shipped by a lender.
Why was my request cancelled?
If your request is cancelled, you will receive an email indicating one of the following reasons:
Article is available: The requested article is available at the W. Frank Steely Library, search NKUIRE.
Article is available as Steely Library Electronic Resource: The requested article is available electronically, search NKUIRE for the item.
Cancelled by customer: Patron cancelled their own request.
Dissertation is available for free from the Steely Library Dissertation and Thesis database: This database is availble to NKU faculty, staff, and students.
Item at Steely Library: Item is on the shelf at W. Frank Steely Library.
Item is available for free from the web: Item was found for free doing a web search.
Item is available on the AtoZ database: Please search AtoZ journals for a free copy of your request.
Journal article violates federal copyright guidelines: W. Frank Steely Library was unable to obtain copyright clearance.
This is a duplicate request: Two (or more) requests have been placed recently for the same item by the same person.
This text/title is not available in English: Please specify if you can receive any languages besides English.
Title appears on the NKU textbook list: We cannot order textbooks.
Too new for interlibrary loan: Most libraries will not lend current year publications.
This item has not yet been published: Please resubmit your request once it is available.
Unable to verify your request as cited: We cannot verify or find your requested item.
We are unable to fill your request by your deadline: We could not fill your request by your need-by-date.
We have exhausted all possible sources: No library or vendor is able to supply this item.
You have reached your Information Brokerage purchase limit: We have previously purchased 5 items to add to Steely Library’s collection for your use, under our information brokerage program. Although there are no minimum requests associated with free interlibrary loan orders, each user is limited to five information brokerage book or media purchases per fiscal year. We were also unable to receive this item via interlibrary loan within a reasonable time. If this is a new item or it has not yet been published, you may need to suggest that the library consider purchasing the item for inclusion in its collection.
My item is here
Where do I pick up my book, media, thesis, etc?
Most items can be picked up at the W. Frank Steely Library third floor Public Service Desk. Information Brokerage media items that are purchased by the library for your use must be picked up at the Media Services desk. Your notification email will state where to pick up your item. You will need your NKU/Gateway ID to check out materials.
Where do I pick up my article?
You will receive an email notice when your article is available. Articles are delivered electronically to your SourceFinder account
- Login to SourceFinder and click the "Electronically Received Articles" link under the "View Requests" options.
- A list will be displayed containing all items waiting to be viewed or downloaded.
What is electronic delivery?
Many libraries ship photocopies of articles in electronic format. Through SourceFinder, we provide electronic delivery of your requested articles in PDF format (Adobe's Portable Document Format).
My article is unreadable. What do I do?
Please contact the SourceFinder personnel as soon as possible.
What is my due date?
Due dates are set by the lender. You can locate the due date on the label on the front of your item or online under the "Checked out" page when you log into SourceFinder.
What if there are overdue fines?
SourceFinder borrowers are responsible for any fines for late returns or lost items.
It is important to respect lender rules and return items that are borrowed on time and in the same condition in which items were lent.
SourceFinder borrowers will be notified of pending due dates and overdue items by email. Items that are more than one week overdue will block use of SourceFinder.
If an item is more than four weeks overdue, the SourceFinder team will charge a lost book fee of $85.00 to the W. Frank Steely Library account of the SourceFinder patron who has the book checked out.
W. Frank Steely Library collection items borrowed are also subject to overdue fines when not returned on time.
Can I renew my item?
Interlibrary loan renewals may be requested online through your SourceFinder account, at least five days before your due date.
- Log in and click the button labeled "Checked out."
- Choose the item to be renewed by clicking on the transaction number of the request. This opens a detailed information page.
- Click the renew button. In most cases, requesting a renewal will automatically extend your due date by two weeks. The SourceFinder team then has to contact the lender to confirm your renewal. We will contact you if the renewal is denied and ask you to return the material.
- Renewal of W. Frank Steely Library items are handled through NKUIRE, the library catalog.
What are the restrictions on requested Interlibrary Loan items?
Restrictions on an item are set by the library lender. You can locate restrictions (if any) on the label on front of your item.
Where do I return the material?
Please return your SourceFinder materials to the first or third floor Public Service Desk of W. Frank Steely Library.
Computer Issues
What if I forget my password?
You can reset your password by clicking on the "Forgot Your Password" link. If you continue to have problems, please contact SourceFinder personnel.
What web browser should I use?
You need a Web browser that can handle forms, tables, and preferably Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). We recommend the current versions of either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox.
Is security a problem if I use a public workstation?
Yes. Web browsers cache information and create a history file on the local workstation. This allows a subsequent user of the workstation to access the system under your name using the browser's Back button to recall a page from the cache, or by finding a page with your personal information in the browser's history file. If you are concerned about the security of your SourceFinder requests, you can take the following steps:
- Access SourceFinder from your personal computer or an otherwise secure workstation.
- When using a public access workstation:
- Delete from the history file those pages that contain your personal information.
- Exit from the Web browser before you leave the workstation. This prevents others from using the Back button.
- Log off the workstation.
Why does my browser say that SourceFinder is sending a cookie?
The technology that we use sends a Session ID to be stored on your machine. You can refuse this cookie and still be able to use SourceFinder without any problems.