Reference

The reference desk is staffed during the Library's hours of operation.The staff is there to offer assistance with any aspect of the research process. Reference help is available in person, by telephone at 312-261-4070 or by e-mail at library@adler.edu.

Reference-by-Appointment

Individually scheduled reference sessions are available for students or faculty requesting in-depth help with refining a research topic or with selecting and using research materials.

Dissertation Consultation

Individual consultation is also available to doctoral students at the proposal or writing stage, for literature review and other assistance.

Information Literacy Program

Faculty may schedule in-class instruction sessions for group assistance in topic clarification, database selection and use and resource evaluation.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Our active participation in library consortia, and collegial working relationships with other libraries throughout the United States, allow the Library to offer timely delivery of materials not held at the Library through the Interlibrary Loan Service (ILL). For more information about the Interlibrary Loan Policy visit the Library Policies section.

Borrowing from Other Libraries

The EBSCOhost and OCLC FirstSearch databases allow direct online ILL requests to be sent to the Library. ILL requests can also be sent by e-mail to library@adler.edu.

We attempt to fill ILL requests through libraries that provide materials free of charge. When this is not possible, the requester is asked to approve any charge before the request is completed. Any requests for fee adjustments will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For doctoral students working on their dissertations, the Library covers up to $100 of ILL charges per semester, if needed. Faculty members are not charged for ILL services.

Delivery time for materials ordered through Interlibrary Loan can vary depending upon a number of factors. Providing complete and accurate information on the request form helps reduce processing time. Ask a librarian for help in verifying a citation or translating journal title abbreviations.

We do not request interlibrary loans of required texts. Also, other libraries will generally lend only the types of material that circulate to their own patrons. The following formats are typically excluded: audiovisual materials, reference books, reserve materials, microforms and rare books.

Whenever possible, the Library sends ILL article copies to the requester via e-mail. Print copies can be picked up in the Library, placed in campus mailboxes, or faxed, depending upon the requester's preference.

When ILL books arrive, a Library staff member notifies the requester that the material is available for pickup. Interlibrary loan books must be returned by the due date. Should an extension be needed on an ILL book, a renewal request should be made before the due date. Renewal requests are granted at the sole discretion of the lending library.

Our active participation in library consortia, and collegial working relationships with other libraries throughout the United States, allow the Library to offer timely delivery of materials not held at the Library through the Interlibrary Loan Service (ILL).

Reserves

Faculty place required books and some recommended course materials on reserve at the Library to provide their students with short-term access to supplemental materials.