Step 1:  always check RILINK holdings first, and place a hold from your library site if you find what you are looking for.  (If you find it, but can't place a hold on it, that means that the RILINK copies listed are held only by school libraries that are not yet participating in interlibrary loan, or have been specified as not available for interlibrary loan.)  Directions on placing a hold or reserve in RILINK are located elsewhere on this web site.
 

Step 2:  If you didn't find an available copy in Step 1, look for the item in the public and academic library collections in the online catalog provided by OLIS and RELAIS at http://lori.relaisd2d.com/. (help/details)  If you find what you are looking for, open a second browser window, leaving the entry you found on the screen.  If you didn't find what you were looking for, go to the OLIS ILL Clearinghouse and First Search.  (Note:  you can also do your search in the in-Rhodes and Ocean State Libraries databases, but you would have to search each one individually.)
 

Step 3:  Go to the online request form at http://http://www.olis.ri.gov/network/loginp.php (help/details).   Log in, using your LORI three-letter code, IN CAPS, as both the username and password.  Click on Request Book or Request Article, and then click on Submit.   Enter your request (help/details), by copying and pasting between the two screens, making sure to include the ISBN number or LCCN if they are available.  Make sure to add the call numbers identified with this item in the RELAIS database.  (For detailed instructions on completing the form, please click here.)  Make sure to indicate the name or the barcode of the student or teacher that needs this item in the Notes field.   The RELAIS interlibrary loan system will process these requests once you submit them.  If you can't find the item that you want on RELAIS, go to Step 5.
There are special instructions for requesting multiple copies. For details and help, click here.  

Step 4:  Check your interlibrary loan email (your library's three-letter code @ride.ri.net : for example, bhs@ride.ri.net) and your Needs Processing list in Destiny for updates on the status of your request (help/details) .  You can also log back in to the RELAIS address given above to check the status of your request.  When the item is being sent to you or you receive it, you will find an entry in your Needs Processing list in Destiny so that you can go ahead and Receive the item, and then check it out to your patron (help/details) .  When you check the item back in (help/details) , please return it to the delivery code indicated in the item entry on the Needs Processing list.  Checking in the item will also let us know that you are returning it.  Please return the item through the delivery system, with the indicated three-letter code as the address.  Please include the picking slip that was sent with the book when you return it.
 

Step 5.  To refer a request to the OLIS ILL Clearinghouse using OCLC's Firstsearch, go to www.olis.ri.gov/network/firstsearch/index.php.  Log in to FirstSearch (not WorldCAT).  You need an active LORI username and password to use the service. There are two hyperlinks under the FirstSearch subheading on the page:

Log in to FirstSearch | Register for a LORI account

Select “log in to FirstSearch” with your LORI username and password or “Register for a LORI account” for a new LORI FirstSearch account. If you are not sure whether you already have a LORI FirstSearch account, chances are you need to apply for one. After the online submission, follow up with a fax on letterhead to OLIS at 574-9320 so staff at OLIS can activate your account. Activation usually happens within 2 business days after they receive the fax from you.

(Information provided by Chaichin Chen, OLIS)