Interlibrary Loan Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions 

Live document where TSLAC ILL staff are accumulating questions and answers:

SHAREit Questions and Known Issues

Auto-Graphics Tickets

Please report SHAREit functionality issues to Auto-Graphics support staff.
Include SHAREit request numbers, error messages, and patron information as relevant.
 

Common issues to report include:

•NCIP Error messages

•Library not receiving any lender requests

•Receiving Requests for items that do not circulate through ILL

•SHAREit creating duplicate library as user accounts in ILS

•Lender list issues, courier libraries

•NCIP and routing to branches

•Cannot save any changes in the Shipping Label

•Patrons are not able to authenticate

•Staff are not able to look up patrons

•Not able to mark items “Received”

•Patron Notifications are not going out (fixed)

 

Statewide ILL FAQ:

1. Why are we switching from Navigator/NRE to a new ILL system?
   • OCLC announced it was retiring the Navigator system from its offerings after August 2024. TSLAC posted a competitive bid for procurement of a system to replace Navigator, and after evaluation of the submitted proposals, SHAREit was selected as the new statewide interlibrary loan system
2. When will the switch from Navigator/NRE to SHAREit take place?
   • Participating libraries will have access to Navigator/NRE through August of 2024, all new ILL activity will take place in SHAREit by June 30, 2024. We will work closely with libraries during the overlap to migrate off NRE and onto SHAREit.
3. Is there a date when libraries should stop using Navigator for ILL until the transfer ends?
   • Yes, though we do not have an exact date now. We anticipate libraries will stop making requests in Navigator in late spring of 2024. TSLAC will continue to communicate with libraries as this date approachs.​​​​​​

SHAREit FAQ:

1. Will participating libraries be able to request items from outside of the Texas consortia?
   • Yes. We will provide more information on this functionality at a later date.
2. Will there be any cost to participate in the new resource sharing platform?
   • The Texas State Library will continue to provide access and subscribtion to interlibrary loan software for elligible and participating libraries. There are out of pocket costs that libraries will incur including shipping supplies, mailing costs, and staff time. We will continue to offer annual ILL Lending Reimbursement Awards and libraries can charge their own patrons for borrowing requests as needed. This program is administered by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) and funded by the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
3. Will libraries be able to have staff review patron-initiated requests before pushing them to be filled?
   • Yes, libraries that choose to allow patron-initiated requests have the option of those requests going to a staff review queue.
4. Can libraries set a cap for how many patron-initiated requests can be submitted at a time?
   • Yes, libraries can set local policies to determine which patron statuses have permission and how many requests per patron can be active at once.
5. Will libraries be able to turn on/off direct patron requests at a later date?
   • Yes, libraries will always have the option to change configurations in their local SHAREit accounts at any time. We advise keeping your local ILL policies up-to-date to reflect changes in services or workflows.
6. Will libraries be able to determine which items are available to be requested through ILL?
   • Yes, during each library's implementation process, they will be asked to identify which collections they are willing to lend through ILL. At that time, collections like Audio-Visual Materials, Newly Published, Reference, Geneaology, etc. may be designated as non-circulating at the local library level. 

NRE/Navigator FAQ:

1. With NRE going down, would this mean OCLC is also changing?
   • The state will no longer be contracting with OCLC for statewide interlibrary loan. This will not affect any contracts libraries may have with OCLC outside of statewide interlibrary loan, including Connexion for cataloging.