How to request multiple copies of a title

Check the Multiple Copies pages for a list of  Iowa libraries that have items available for loan in multiple quantities. If the title is listed, contact the library directly to make loan arrangements. There is a link to library contacts for each library listing items on the list. If the title is not listed, but is in the Locator database, you can request multiple copies through the SILO ILL System. Here's how:

1. From the SILO-Interlibrary Loan System Menu, select the Search SILO Locator option
2. Click on the Submit Request button.
3. Select a search attribute from the pull-down menu.
4. Type in a word or phrase in the corresponding field.
5. Click on the Send Query button.
6. When the results are returned, click on the item record number to view the Long Display.  Choose a record which shows many libraries own the title.
7. Click on the Interlibrary Loan Request Form button.
8. For the first copy: in the Location 1 pull-down menu, leave the first library listed in Location 1. In Location box 2,3,4,and 5 select the No Locator Choice option. This option is at the BOTTOM of the list.
9. Click on the Submit button.
10. To request more copies of that title, click on the Search Results link on the confirmation page.  This returns you to the results list.
11. Click on the same record as you selected for the first request.
12. Click on the Interlibrary Loan Request Form button.
    
13. In the Location 1 pull-down menu, select a different library from the library you selected for the first copy. In Location box 2,3,4,and 5 select the No Locator Choice option. This option is at the BOTTOM of the list.
14. Continue steps 10-13 to request additional copies.

You will create one REQUEST transaction for EACH copy that you need. For example create 10 different ILL transactions for 10 copies needed.

This method requests each copy from only one library at a time.  If that library cannot fill the request, you can request from another library by following the above procedure but selecting a library further down the list, from which you have not requested a copy already.

If there are many libraries who own the book you can certainly fill in more than one location for each copy; if you do this and the first library cannot fill the request it will automatically go on to the next library on the list.  Just be certain you are filling in different libraries on each request so no library could get more than 1 request for the book.

If there is no record listed with many locations, or if there are many records for that title on the results list, you may make the requests by individually selecting each record on the list and submitting an Interlibrary Loan form.