What is OCLC ILLiad?

OCLC ILLiad is a model, implemented in software, of the interlibrary loan process. Developed in the ILL Department at Virginia Tech, it is the only ILL product created as a result of ILL staff review of the entire ILL operation. The result is a superior product which encompasses every action in the ILL process, producing a highly efficient and effective work environment. This environment enhances customer service while significantly reducing costs and staff workload.

How does it work?

There are two major interfaces to OCLC ILLiad: the user interface and the staff interface.

The user interface is web-based. Each user has a username and a password used to access his or her account. Usernames are unique within ILLiad and cannot be repeated. To start using ILLiad, each user must register with the system. After the initial registration, only a username and password are needed to access the system. Users can submit and review requests, change their profiles, renew items, and receive electronically delivered documents.

The staff interface is also referred to as the ILLiad Client. If you are running your own ILLiad server, this client will reside in a shared drive on your server, along with some supporting documents (Microsoft Word documents as well as some text documents). If you are having your server hosted by Atlas Systems, then all of the files (the client and the supporting documents) will reside on the local machine. The Word documents use mail merge to generate labels and pick slips. The text documents are templates used to generate e-mails to users.

Staff log on to the ILLiad Client with a username and a password, assigned using the ILLiad User Manager (separate and distinct from the username and password for the user interface). The ILLiad Client is where the ILL staff will do all of their work, including borrowing, lending, and document delivery.

What's behind the scenes?

From a technical viewpoint, the ILLiad system has three major components: the web component, the database, and the file share. In a default installation of ILLiad, all three of these are on the same ILLiad server machine, though if desired, they can be split up onto two or three servers.

The user interface is based on an ISAPI DLL that interfaces with the Internet Information Server installed on the ILLiad Web Server running either Windows 2000 Server (recommended) or Windows NT Server 4.0. The DLL takes the web input and interfaces directly with the Microsoft SQL Server database on the ILLiad Database server using the Borland Database Engine SQL Links drivers (BDE).

The staff interface will run on any 32-bit Windows OS. It uses the BDE to interface directly with the ILLiad Database Server. Also, if the server is within your network, then the client usually has access to a share on the ILLiad file server to load the client, print documents, and email files.

How do I maintain OCLC ILLiad?

Because ILLiad is constantly being refined and improved, there will be periodic updates to the software. Notice of these updates will be posted to the ILLiad-L listserv. If you run your own server, you will use the ILLiad Updater to obtain the new files. Usually, you only need to replace files on your ILLiad server and the clients will use those new files after the update.

If you are having your server hosted by Atlas Systems, you will notify us when you are ready to have your server updated. After Atlas has updated your hosted server, you will replace the appropriate files on all of your client machines. All information about the new updates will be posted to the ILLiad-L listserv, as well as added to the OCLC ILLiad Knowledge Base. The Reference Guide specifically talks about updating ILLiad within the Maintenance chapter.

Changes to the settings for OCLC ILLiad can be made through the Customization Manager, usually found in the Admin folder of the ILLiad share or as a separate file download for hosted server installations. The Customization Manager allows you to customize many of the features ILLiad offers and described in the Implementation Guide. The User Manager is usually found in the Admin folder of the ILLiad share or a separate file download for hosted server installations. It allows staff to add logins for each staff member using the ILLiad Client as well as assign specific permissions to modules and menus of the ILLiad Client.

Of course, as with any server, you will want to make sure that you install the latest service packs and patches, and keep them current to ensure the security of your machine.

What do I need to know if I am a new licensee?

A wealth of information is available to new licensees. Visit our new licensees page to learn more about the OCLC ILLiad system. You can even get a sneak peak at training opportunities.

For more information about ILLiad, view the OCLC ILLiad page