MINITEX Library Information Network

Document Delivery Links

• Latest News
• Verifying Requests
• Symbol for Referrals to MINITEX
• Choosing Locations
• Direct Borrowing
• Aleph Listserv
• Aleph Libraries in the MINITEX Region
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Latest News

The University of Minnesota upgraded to version 18 of the Aleph Integrated Library System (ILS) in the summer of 2006. We expect to implement the Graphic User Interface (GUI) interlibrary loan (ILL) component of version 18 during the winter of 2007, after the migration kit becomes available and testing has been completed.

We have found use of our current Web-based platform to be more time consuming than we would like. For this reason, we are anxiously awaiting the upgrade to version 18, which is expected to speed request processing. We continue to have monthly conference calls between the MnSCU/PALS and University of Minnesota server sites to discuss issues and share information.

Verifying Requests

How do I verify requests sent in Aleph?

Although bibliographic verification is no longer required on the requests you send to MINITEX, you may still choose to review and verify requests. If you are providing OCLC codes on the request before transmission, you can speed turnaround time by listing locations in the order suggested on our referral priority lists.

• Learn more about our referral locations and priorities

Aleph users should make sure that any locations they provide are in the "source" field. Please do not use the "note to lender" field to list locations, as this requires that our staff review each request individually and slows processing considerably on our end.

Symbol for Referrals to MINITEX

What symbol should I use to refer requests to MINITEX?

For Aleph, MINITEX (MII) and the University of Minnesota (MNU) are separate locations. Requests that are sent to MII with an ISBN/ISSN will not be resent to direct borrowing Aleph locations.

For requests that reach MII and do not have an ISBN/ISSN, our staff will assume direct borrowing locations were not previously checked and will refer to back to Aleph locations if an item is found to be owned at one of those libraries.

MNU

• Requests are searched only at University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus libraries.
• If an item is not found, the status will be updated to "unfilled."
• The same request may come back to MINITEX using the "MII" symbol, and for those requests, we will be referring to other MINITEX libraries as time allows.

MII

• Requests coming in without an ISSN/ISBN will be checked on MnCAT to locate University of Minnesota campus locations and at Minneapolis Public Library. Items owned at these locations are retrieved by MINITEX staff.
• The status of requests will be updated to "Will Supply" when we refer the request off campus.
• Please allow sufficient time for MINITEX to refer the request to other libraries.

Choosing Locations for Your Request

When you set up the locations that you want to route requests to, make sure that any library you don't already borrow and lend to on a regular basis is willing to accept requests directly from your library. If you are not sure, give them a call.

Some smaller libraries with less interlibrary loan traffic are not on the MINITEX delivery system. Filling a request for your library will mean that library will incur increased postage charges when they send items to you. Your library will also be paying postage expenses to return that item to the lender.

When your request comes through the MINITEX office, it's likely that we will first try to fill it at a library that is on the delivery system, which saves time and postage costs.

Direct Borrowing in Aleph

The following libraries are direct borrowing locations. If your location is included in this list, you should set up your institution's "potential supplier list" in Aleph with the following codes:

ANR, ANT, BNC, CKK, HCC, LCO MBE, MCR, MCV, MFF, MIC, MNB, MNF, MNG, MNI, MNI, MNJ, MNM, MNS, MNV, MNY, MST, MUO, RCC, VCC, XO2, XOJ, XOR, XOS, XOV, XOW, XOY, XQC

Aleph Listserv

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Aleph Libraries in the MINITEX Region

Minnesota

North Dakota

**NDS refers on behalf of MINITEX to the following libraries: