Duke University Medical Center Library
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Contents

  1. How is this system better than traditional Interlibrary Loan (ILL) systems?
  2. Are there any disadvantages to the electronic system?
  3. Why do I need a username and password to use the system?
  4. What if I forget my password?
  5. What Web browser should I use?
  6. Is security a problem if I use a public workstation?
  7. Why don't I see all my older requests when I look at my request history?
  8. What is electronic delivery?
  9. Who do I contact if I have problems with or questions about the system?
  10. Why does my browser say that you're sending a cookie? What's in it?

How is this system better than traditional ILL systems?

  1. You will find it easier to submit your Interlibrary Loan requests. Once you enter your name, address, and other personal information into the system at the time of your first request, it will not be necessary for you to do it again.
  2. Your requests will be handled more rapidly and accurately since problems related to misinterpretation of hand-written requests are eliminated.
  3. You can get many of your photocopies more quickly through Electronic Delivery.
  4. Information about the status of your requests can be retrieved through the Web at any time, from any location, without having to call the Document Delivery/ILL Department.
  5. Library personnel are able to serve you better because all your request data and handling information is stored in a searchable database. This allows us to respond quickly to your inquiries, as well as gather statistical information about the performance of the libraries that lend to us. Ultimately, this enables us to make better decisions when choosing lenders to supply items.
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Are there any disadvantages to the electronic system?

Although some people might find it troublesome to have to log into the system using a username and password, we believe it is easier than traditional paper and electronic systems which require you to enter your personal information with each new request.

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Why do I need a username and password to use the system?

Your username and password allows us to give you secure access to information about your Document Delivery and Interlibrary Loan requests. They also enable you to edit your personal information such as your address or phone number.

Although your username can be anything that you like, we recommend that you use your DEMPO ID, NetID, or Duke Unique ID as your username. In creating your password, please follow good security practices by using at least seven characters and interspersing punctuation marks or symbols such as #, $, %, etc. Your password will be stored in an encrypted file, so no one but you will know it (not even the Library staff).

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What if I forget my password?

In the event that you forget your password, please contact the Library Service Desk at (919) 660-1100 to have your password reset. Once you log into the system, please change your password.

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What Web browser should I use?

You will need a Web browser that can handle forms, tables, and preferably, frames. We recommend that you use version 3.0 or greater of Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer.

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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 Interlibrary Loan requests, you can take the following steps:

  1. Access the Document Delivery/ILL system only from your personal computer or an otherwise secure workstation.
  2. Access the Document Delivery/ILL system from a public workstation in the ILL office in the Library. These computers are supervised by Library staff.
  3. 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, which prevents the Back button from accessing the pages you were using.
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Why don't I see all my older requests when I look at my request history?

From time to time we purge older records from the system. Our policy is to keep requests online for several years in order to comply with record keeping requirements of the copyright law.

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What is electronic delivery?

Many libraries send photocopies of articles to us in electronic format. In the past, we printed these articles before delivering them to you. Now, we are able to offer you the option of electronic delivery of these articles in PDF (Portable Document Format). You can read more about this option on the Electronic Delivery Information page.

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Who do I contact if I have problems with or questions about the system?

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Why does my browser say that you're sending a cookie? What's in it?

The active server pages technology that we use to provide live reporting for the Web sends a session ID to be stored on your machine. You can refuse this cookie and still be able to use the ILL Web pages and system without any problems.

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DUMCL Symbol Questions?   (919) 660-1100  mcldd@mc.duke.edu
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