UW-Madison Account Login Shortcuts

Request a copy of an article

Access articles directly, or if not available, request a copy and receive an email notification when it's ready.

1. Check to see if the article is available online.

• Type the citation information (journal name, date, volume, issue, start page) below and press the Search button. Then, follow the Get Full Text Online link(s) to access the full text of the article.
  
  

  • *Journal Title Exact match Contains Begins with
    

    *only the Journal Title field is required

  • Date **** 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 *** Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec **** 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
  • Volume Issue
  • Start Page

• When the Get Full Text Online link is not available or fails, try Look in MadCat next. Or, search the journal title in MadCat directly.
  
  

2. Request a copy when no online full text is available through Find It or MadCat.

• Select Request A Copy in the Find It window, or Login and fill in the form.
  
  
  
  

Request a Book, CD, Video, Microfilm/fiche

Have a book or media item delivered to the campus library of your choice and receive an email notification when it's ready.

Items in MadCat (on UW-Madison campus)

1. Find the item in MadCat and display its record. The book must be "Not Checked Out".
2. Click on Place Requests and if you haven't logged in, enter your NetID or 11-digit ID number and last name.
3. Select RETRIEVE Madison Item at Madison Library from the dropdown menu.
4. Using the dropdown menu you MUST choose a library at which you wish to pick up the item. Type in your UW-Madison 11-digit ID number if needed.
   More info

Items in other UW System Libraries' catalogs

1. Find the item in a UW System catalog and display its record. The book must be "Not Checked Out".
2. Click on Place Requests and if you haven't logged in, enter your NetID or 11-digit ID number and last name.
3. Select BORROW from or Pickup at another campus from the dropdown menu.
4. Select a lending library where the item is not checked out. Type in your UW-Madison 11-digit ID number if needed.
5. Using the dropdown menu you MUST choose a campus at which you wish to pick up the item.
6. Choose a campus library pickup desk.
   More info

Items NOT in MadCat or UW System Libraries' catalogs

To request a specific book or other item you know about

1. Login to your Interlibrary Loan account with NetID or your 11-digit ID number.
   
2. Select Request a Book or Other Loan.
3. Fill in the fields as needed and submit the request.

To discover books or other items not in MadCat or UW System Libraries

1. Search another catalog such as WorldCat, Google Books, or LinkCat (Madison Public Library) and display the record for the desired item.
2. Request the book or other item
   • In WorldCat, simply click on Request a Copy and if you haven't logged in, enter your NetID or 11-digit ID number and last name.
   • Otherwise, login to your Interlibrary Loan account with your NetID or 11-digit ID number.
     • Select Request a Book or Other Loan.
     • Fill in the fields as needed and submit the request.
     • Click on Request a Copy

How long will it take?

Request a copy of a book chapter

Request a pdf version of a book chapter and receive an email notification when it's ready.

1. Login to your Interlibrary Loan account with your NetID or 11-digit ID number.
   
2. Select Request an Article or Other Copy.
3. Fill in the fields as needed and submit the request.
   
   
   

Request a Dissertation, Thesis

Find, access or request a dissertation or thesis.

Current UW-Madison Students, Faculty, and Staff

• Search MadCat for print copies of UW Madison dissertations and theses. UW-Madison Ph.D. dissertations are available for check out. UW-Madison master's theses are not available for check out; they may be viewed in a library.
• To view abstracts and the first 24 pages of most dissertations published since 1997, and the full text of UW-Madison dissertations published since 1997, use ProQuest Digital Dissertations.
• To view the full text of dissertations from CIC institutions (Big Ten plus the University of Chicago), use Current Research@CIC.
• To borrow a Ph.D. dissertation or master's thesis (no charge) from another university submit a request in WorldCat or Login to your account.
• More information

Others

• To borrow or photocopy a UW-Madison Ph.D. dissertation or master's thesis, refer your local library's interlibrary loan staff to UW-Madison General Library System Interlibrary Loan Lending and Photocopying. Master's theses are not available for loan and are available only as photocopies.
• If you have no library or information service, please consult Fee-based Services for Corporate and Private Libraries, Businesses and Individuals.
• To purchase, order directly from Dissertation Express or by calling 1-800-521-3042. UW-Madison dissertations are only available for purchase from 1955 to present. UW-Madison master's theses are not usually available through Dissertation Express.
• More information

How long will it take?

Articles

Books

Book Chapters

Distance Patrons (outside of Dane County)

Distance Library Services are intended for UW-Madison students, faculty, and staff who live and work outside of Dane County - including dissertators, students taking distance courses, and faculty on sabbatical.

Faculty Runners

• UW-Madison faculty can designate a currently enrolled student or staff member to borrow material in their name. These materials are subject to the same borrowing policies as loans made in person by the faculty member.

McBurney Paging Service

• Paging services to retrieve materials from library shelves are available to those registered with the UW-Madison McBurney Center. Phone contacts: (608) 263-2741 or (608) 263-6393 (TTY)

Annual Fee Card Holders

Limited delivery services are available for annual fee card holders including Wisconsin residents and corporations.

Not Affiliated with UW-Madison?

Academic, Public, and Special Libraries

We provide book loans and photocopying services to libraries.

Academic, public or special libraries may send either OCLC requests (symbol "GZM") or webform requests (if OCLC is not an option for your institution). If your institution needs a webform login, please contact Eric Robinson at gzmlend@wils.wisc.edu.

Fee-based Services for Corporate / Private Libraries and Businesses

Several UW-Madison libraries offer for-fee services, including "rush" requests.

Visitors to Campus

UW-Madison campus library visitors may borrow library materials subject to their current residence and affiliation.

Wisconsin Residents | Non-Residents

Place your book/article requests for UW-Madison materials through your local campus library, corporate library or public library. Or, contact one of the UW-Madison fee-based document delivery services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is it?

  UW-Madison's Article and Book Delivery Service allows UW-Madison users to request campus document delivery, interlibrary loan, distance circulation, and distance interlibrary loan services.

  UW-Madison users that live outside Dane County and who do not regularly commute to campus may request home delivery of loans. For more information on this service, see Distance Services.

• How much does it cost?

  The UW-Madison Libraries consistently rank at the top among peer institutions with respect to supplementing local collections in order to meet the teaching and research needs of the UW-Madison community.

  In order to provide for the needs of a vibrant research university such as ours, the Libraries have developed numerous strategic partnerships with peer institutions that enable us to acquire or borrow journal articles, books, and other materials on behalf of the University's faculty, staff, and students.

  While we are proud to offer article delivery and interlibrary loan services at no cost to our users, we ask that our patrons be mindful of the fact that the provision of these services is not without cost to the Libraries and the University. In fact, the provision of these services is quite expensive. We ask, therefore, that you request only those items that you plan to use directly in the course of your research, teaching, and study.

  We are happy to provide for your research, teaching, and study needs, and will do our absolute best to acquire or borrow the materials you need as quickly and efficiently as possible. By being judicious in making your requests, you can help to ensure that the Libraries are able to continue providing these services free of charge.

• Are there limits on the service?

  Article and book delivery service supports the instructional, research and scholarly activities of UW-Madison faculty, staff and students.

  • If the article is available on-campus, up to 50 pages will be scanned. For longer articles, you need to obtain the actual article from the library. However, if the article is not available on-campus then there is no page limit.
  • Requests for articles that are available in full-text PDF through licensed databases and electronic journals will be cancelled with instructions on how to obtain the article online. Check .
  • It is important to note that not all libraries are able to process a high number of requests from one user. You may be asked to prioritize or limit your requests or explore other borrowing arrangements with ILL staff. Your request may be refused if, in our judgment, fulfilling it violates Copyright Law (Title 17, United States Code).
  • If your library borrowing privileges have been blocked, you cannot get materials through this service.
  • In order to provide timely, quality service for all our patrons, please limit your requests to 30 or fewer per week.
• Are there items that are difficult to obtain?

  These items are very difficult to borrow from off-campus:

  • Technical reports and standards
  • Recently published books (the library may purchase a new book if it falls within the library's collection policies)
  • Audiovisual materials including videos and CDs
  • Whole volumes or issues of periodicals (copies of individual articles may be requested)
  • Textbooks
  • Materials for class reserve or group use
  • Rare books
  • Genealogical resources
  • Reference materials
  • Computer software and manuals
  • Electronic books
• Who can use it?

  You can use article and book delivery service if you have currently valid borrowing privileges and you are a:

  • UW-Madison faculty (including emeritus)
  • UW-Madison staff
  • UW-Madison students
  • UW-Madison affiliate
  • UW-Madison appointment
  • Courtesy Card holder
  • If you're not sure of your patron status, see the loan periods patron chart

  Faculty may obtain a faculty runner card so someone else can place requests for them.

  Limited IinterLibrary Loan services are available for individual Annual Fee Card holders.

• How do I have a book delivered to the nearest Campus Library?

  When the Book is in MadCat (On Campus):

  When you find a book you want in MadCat and its not at a library convenient to you, you can use the Place Requests link in MadCat.

  Follow these steps:

  1. Click on Place Requests link
  2. Enter your 11-digit ID (more info) and last name
  3. At the drop-down menu, choose Retrieve from the Shelf
  4. Click OK
  5. On the next screen, choose your pick-up library from the drop-down menu and re-enter your 11-digit ID
  6. Click Submit Request

  Your request is then sent to the owning library. You can track the request using My MadCat Account. You will be notified by email when the book is available for pick-up.
  

  When the Book is at another UW System School:

  First, search the UW System to see if any other UW System libraries carry the book you want:

  1. Click on the UW System Search link in MadCat
  2. Select the UW System library catalogs you want to search
  3. Click Connect
  4. Enter your search in the search box and click Search
  5. Once the search is complete, click Show for a list of results

  Second, select item you want delivered to a UW-Madison campus library:

  1. Click on the record you want
  2. Enter your 11-digit ID and last name
  3. At the next screen, click OK
  4. Re-enter your 11-digit ID and then choose the library where you want the book delivered
  5. Click Submit Request

  Your request is sent to the owning UW System library. You can track your request using My MadCat Account. You will be notified by email when the book is available for pick-up. Please note that UW System Search and Borrow is only available for books, not articles.

• Where can I return interlibrary loan materials?

  Interlibrary loan materials can be returned to any campus library with an Open Return sticker (see image) on its book return.

  

• How do I check the status of a request?

  Articles, Book Chapters:

  • Login to your Interlibrary Loan account
  • The View My Requests section allows you to check the status of your requests
  • You can view all available articles under View Electronically Received Articles
  • Requests that are still in processing are under View Outstanding Requests
  • Cancelled requests are under View Cancelled Requests
  • After you have returned your loan to Circulation or your PDF has been deleted, your request for information is stored under View Completed Request

  Book, CD, or Video:

  • Ordered through MadCat or UW System Search?

    • Login to your My MadCat account
    • The Requests section shows the status of your requests

  • Ordered through Interlibrary Loan?

    • Login to your Interlibrary Loan account
    • The View My Requests section allows you to check the status of your requests
    • You can view all available articles under View Electronically Received Articles
    • Items that have arrived on campus are under View Books or Other Loans Received by Interlibrary Loan Office
    • Requests that are still in processing are under View Outstanding Requests
    • Cancelled requests are under View Cancelled Requests
    • After you have returned your loan to Circulation or your PDF has been deleted, your request for information is stored under View Completed Request

    • Not listed in Interlibrary Loan account?

      • Login to your My MadCat account
      • The Requests section shows items available for pickup.
• How long...?

  How long does it take to get an article?

  Typical delivery if the article is:	Time
  Owned by UW Madison	1-3 Days
  Located at the UW Madison Shelving Facility	1-3 Days
  Not owned by UW Madison	3-9 Days

  How long does it take to get a book?

  If the item is:	Time
  At UW-Madison	1-3 Days
  At another UW-System library (like UW-Milwaukee, UW-Green Bay, etc.)	2-4 Days
  Not found on campus or in the UW-System	1-3 weeks

  How long can I use a borrowed book?

  Loan periods are determined by the lending institution that we got the book from. These vary from between one and four weeks. The majority of Interlibrary Loan items can be renewed in your My MadCat account. Please remember that not all items can be renewed.

• How can I obtain a thesis?

  UW-Madison faculty, staff and students can request on-campus theses by using MadCat's Place Requests link. Off-campus theses can be requested using Interlibrary Loan.

  Other individuals need to refer to the Dissertations and Theses page.

• How can I use WorldCat to submit a request?

  Follow these steps to use WorldCat and submit a request:

  1. Click on the WorldCat link on the UW-Madison Libraries home page
  2. Conduct a search in WorldCat
  3. When you find the item you want, click on its title
  4. Select the Get through Interlibrary Loan link
     For journal articles, first check whether online access is available.
• How do I change my email address?

  If you are a student, use MyUW.

  If you are a faculty or staff member, contact your departmental secretary for any address updates. Your email address must be changed by your department in order for it to be available to the libraries. Departmental secretaries are familiar with this procedure and should be able to assist you. It may take several days before your record is corrected. If you need your Library Express record corrected immediately, please contact your Library Express office.

  Any further questions about email address updates can be forwarded to the Circulation Office at Memorial Library at (608)-263-7360.

• What other book/article delivery services does the library provide?

  For Articles and Book Chapters:

  Electronic Journal List

  • Get articles online now
  • Access over 8,000 full-text electronic journals, magazines, newsletters and newspapers

  For Books and Media:

  • Place Requests in MadCat
    • Takes 1-3 business days
    • Books listed in MadCat can be delivered to campus library of your choice
  • UW System Borrowing
    • Takes 2-4 business days
    • Books and media owned by another UW System campus can be delivered to a UW-Madison library for pick-up
  • WorldCat
    • Typically takes 1-3 weeks
    • Search for books owned by other libraries and have them delivered to UW-Madison library for pick-up
  • Madison Public Library
    • Typically takes 3-4 business days
    • Request that books or media owned by libraries in 7 Wisconsin counties be delivered to your public library for pick-up (requires a public library borrowing card).
• Can interlibrary loan materials be renewed?

  Some Interlibrary Loan materials may be renewed once. Check your My MadCat account for a possible renewal prior to the material going overdue. Renewals are not guaranteed and are granted at the discretion of the lending library.

• Are there overdue fines for ILL materials?

  Due dates are set by the lending institution. Because of this, there is a nonrefundable $15 processing fee for any overdue ILL item and your account is blocked until the materials are returned. Check your My MadCat account for a possible renewal prior to the material going overdue. Renewals are not guaranteed and are granted at the discretion of the lending library.

• What if I damaged or lost my ILL item?

  Interlibrary loan materials are the property of the lending library. When items are lost or damaged you will be responsible for the fines and/or replacements costs for the material. Costs will differ depending on the lending library's policy and are often more than our campus $80 lost item fine. It can take awhile for us to get the bill, but we will apply it to your My MadCat account once received.