Option 1: Search all SUNY libraries for your item

We recommend you search SUNY libraries first. If they have your item, we can usually get it for you more quickly, and you can have it checked out for a longer period of time.

  1. Go to the Search Our Collections page and enter the title of the item you're searching before. Make sure you select SUNY Catalog from the drop-down menu next to the search box.

  2. If you've found the item you were looking for, click Borrow from another library.

  3. Under the How to get it section, click "Sign in" to login with your Laker NetID & password.

  4. Then click Interlibrary Loan.

  5. Scroll down and click Send Request. That's it! We will email you once your item arrives at Penfield.

    Note: If you'd like, you can pick up your item at the Syracuse campus! Just make sure to click the box next to "Pick-up at Syracuse campus" before you send your request. Items will arrive at the Syracuse campus on Tuesdays.

Option 2: Search Worldcat for your item

If a SUNY library doesn't have your item, you can see if other libraries worldwide have the item you're looking for.

  1. Go to the Search Our Collections page and enter the title of the item you're searching before. Make sure you select WorldCat from the drop-down menu next to the search box.

  2. If you've found the item you were looking for, click Borrow from another library.

  3. Under the How to get it section, click "Sign in" to login with your Laker NetID & password.

  4. Then click Interlibrary Loan.

  5. Scroll down and click Send Request. That's it! We will email you once your item arrives at Penfield.

    Note: If you'd like, you can pick up your item at the Syracuse campus! Just make sure to click the box next to "Pick-up at Syracuse campus" before you send your request. Items will arrive at the Syracuse campus on Tuesdays.

Option 3: Request your item through our Illiad system

In most cases, you should find what you need with options 1 or 2. However, if you can't find your item, you can request it through a system called ILLiad. If you're not already logged in, you'll be prompted to login with your Oswego username & password.

If you've never used ILLiad before, you'll need to provide your contact information by completing the form that appears.

  1. On the left side of the page, under New Request, click "Book" (or "Other", if you're requesting a movie or CD).

  2. Complete the form as best you can, based on the information you have. Only the title and author are required.

  3. Scroll down and click Submit Request. We'll email you when the item arrives, or if we can't find the item for you.

Good to know

Time frame: Books, Blu-Rays, and other physical items usually take between 5-7 business days to arrive. We'll email you when the item has arrived!

Picking up your items: When they arrive, you can pick them up at the Check-Out & Reserves Desk at Penfield Library, or the front desk if you've requested pick-up at the Syracuse campus.

Checkout periods: The library that lends us the item determines how long you can have it, and whether or not it can be renewed.

Textbooks: We'll do our best to find textbooks you request, but we're often unable to borrow them because they're already being used at their "home" library.