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    Interlibrary Loans: Welcome to Tipasa

    Learn about how to use Tipasa, the interlibrary loan system

    Tipasa

    A new way to interlibrary loan! 

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    ***UPDATE (12/20/24): Authentication Method for Logging into Tipasa***

    Please note that the authentication method used for accessing Tipasa for interlibrary loan requests has been updated to a more secure method requiring the use of multi-factor authentication. If you are re-directed to a login screen, please use your full GCU/GCE email address, and follow the prompts to enter your GCU/GCE password/preferred means of multi-factor authentication.

    For current users of Tipasa:Please note that in order to move over to this new, secure authentication method, your patron history as well as current, active requests will no longer be visible on your profile. Please contact the GCU Library to access any history or current requests and we will be happy to assist you.

    What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?

    Interlibrary loan is a service that allows current GCU students, staff, and faculty to borrow resources from other libraries that are not immediately available through the GCU Library. 

    The GCU Library abides by U.S. copyright law with respect to interlibrary loan. The following sections of the U.S. Copyright Act are pertinent to interlibrary loan:  Section 107 (Fair Use) and Section 108 (Reproduction by libraries and archives). CCL (Compliance Copyright Law) refers to compliance with  copyright law.

    Have Questions?

    If you have any issues using Tipasa, please

    Access Tipasa

    ***UPDATE (12/20/24): Authentication Method for Logging into Tipasa***

    Please note that the authentication method used for accessing Tipasa for interlibrary loan requests has been updated to a more secure method requiring the use of multi-factor authentication. If you are re-directed to a login screen, please use your full GCE/GCE email address, and follow the prompts to enter your GCU/GCE password/preferred means of multi-factor authentication.

    Interlibrary loan service is for current students, faculty, and staff.  For alumni resources, visit  Alumni Access .

    What is Tipasa?

    Tipasa is the Library system used to manage interlibrary loan requests, providing more user-friendly features and more control to manage your requests. In Tipasa you can:

    • Request interlibrary loans and view current request status.

    • Renew requests or cancel requests.

    • Easily access electronic articles and book chapters you requested.

    • View notifications, and sign up for email or text notifications. 

    You can still request interlibrary loans in many of the same ways as before, in addition to even more options:

    • Using the  Interlibrary Loan (ILL)  link on the Library website
    • Clicking the  Request ILL  button in Library databases
    • Through the Tipasa user portal, by clicking the  Create Request  button

    Completing the ILL form

    1. Go to the ILL form using one of the options above
    2. Once on the form, select the appropriate type of resource (Article, Book, or Other)
    3. Fill out the form with as many details about the item as possible. The more details you include, the easier and quicker we'll be able to fill your request
    4. Submit your request
    • Once your request is submitted, you'll see it listed in the Tipasa user portal, in your list of active requests.
    • From here, you can see the status of your request, which will be updated as the request is processed.
    • If you requested an article , once it's available, it will be provided through the user portal. 
    • If you requested a book , It will be filled as either an ebook or a print book, depending on availability. If it’s an ebook, you’ll be emailed a link to access the ebook through the GCU Library. If it’s a print book, it will first be sent from the lending library to the GCU Library. Once it has been processed by us, it will be delivered to you. You can find out where your book is at in the request process by checking it's status in the user portal.
    • See the ILL Delivery tab for more details.

    When requesting items, you will be able to select the date by which you need the item. 

    • Article, dissertation, and book chapter requests  may take an average of several business days to several weeks to fulfill 
    • Book requests  may take several weeks to fulfill 

    Unique materials or items with few library holdings may take longer. Keep this in mind when selecting a need by date.

    • If you need the item by a specific date , and no longer want the item once that date has passed, select that date as the need by date.
    • If you do not need the item by a specific date , and are willing to wait a longer amount of time for the item, select a need by date farther in the future. We recommend setting it at least 2 weeks out. 

    This is a snapshot of what the user portal looks like. Read below to learn more about the various features in the user portal. 

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    1. Requestedand Profileheader – Click Requested to view current and previous requests. Click Profile to view contact info and set notification preferences.
    2. Create Request – Click Create Request to create an interlibrary loan request. Items can also be requested using the various Interlibrary Loan buttons found throughout the Library website.
    3. Title – The Title column displays the title (or journal title and article title), author, and format of the requested item
    4. Submitted Date– The Submitted Date column displays the date the request was submitted and the request number, also known as the ILL number. Each request will have its own request number. Click on the request number to view the full request details.
    5. Status– The Status column displays the status of the request. You can also access Article PDFs and links to the articles. For copies of articles, click "Click here to view item"to access the full text. Note that you may be limited to how many times and how long you can access the article through the user portal. It is recommended that you save the article immediately if you don't want to lose it. For example:​ undefined The option to request a renewal can also be found here, once the item has been checked out.
    6. Cancel Requests– Use this option to cancel requests being processed. Check off the request(s) to be canceled and click Cancel Requests. Items can be canceled up to the time they have been shipped by the lender.

    In the user portal, click on either the  Request ID  or the  Title  to view the request details:

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    1. Request Details  - The top of the Request Details screen contains information about the request. You can also cancel or renew requests from this page.
    2. Notes  - The Notes section displays any notes about the request. This is where the Need By Date can be found.
    3. Notification History  - The Notifications section displays all of the notifications that have been sent to you about your interlibrary loan requests.

    To set communication preferences for ILL requests, Click on Profile at the top of the user portal:

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    Please note: Notifications are automatically set to send by email to your GCU email.

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    Options to set communication preferences

    1. You can choose to have email notifications sent to an email address that is different than your GCU email (The default email is your GCU email):

    • Check Send Updates by Email
    • Enter preferred email address in the Email box

    2. Choose to receive text notifications:

    • Check Send Updates by Text Message
    • Enter a phone number in the Phone Number box

    3. Opt out of notifications entirely

    Articles, dissertations, and book chapters will be delivered electronically through the Tipasa user portal.  The item will be available to view, print, or download for 30 days or 5 views, whichever comes first.  We recommend downloading and saving the articles to your computer before they expire, so you don't lose access to them.

    To retrieve electronic documents:
    1. Sign in to the  Tipasa user portal .
    2. Locate the requested item in the list of requests.
    3. Click Available to View, under Status, to access the full text. This will also tell you how much longer or how many more views you have available.
      delivery methods will be listed
    4. Save the item to your computer.

    Book requests will be filled as either an ebook or a print book, depending on availability. If it’s an ebook, you’ll be emailed a link to access the ebook through the GCU Library. If it’s a print book the physical book will be delivered based on the delivery method you choose at the time of request. You will be notified when the book is ready to be picked up or delivered.

    Available delivery options for print books:

    • Ship- Books will be sent directly to your home address via priority mail with a postage paid return envelope for easy returns

    • Pick Up - Books will be available at the 4th Floor Library Information Desk in the Student Union

    • Interoffice Delivery- For GCU staff and faculty, request books to be delivered through the campus interoffice mail

    The due date for print books will be listed in the user portal and in the notification you receive when the book is available. The due date is set by the lending library, and will vary based on their lending policies. 

    Renewing an Item

    If you would like an ILL print book for longer than the original due date, you can request a renewal through the user portal.

    To request a renewal:

    • Sign in to the  Tipasa user portal.

    • Locate the book you wish to renew in the list of requests. 

    • Click the  Renew button

    Please note that requesting a renewal does not guarantee the book will be renewed. You will receive a notification when the renewal is approved (along with a new due date) or when it is denied. If the renewal is denied, please return the book as soon as possible.

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