The Special Collections Research Center is pleased to announce the upcoming implementation of a special collections online request system.
What is the SCRC Online Request System?
The new SCRC online request system is a program that allows researchers to manage their personal information and Special Collections material requests online. It replaces the existing paper paging system.
Beginning July 1, all existing and new patrons will create user accounts online. Patrons will no longer submit paper slips. Instead, patrons will request all materials online using the links in the online catalogs and online finding aids database.
How will this change help me with my research?
You can prepare and submit or save requests for collection materials online in advance of your visit.
You can track the status of your requests online: for instance, you can see whether an item is being paged, on hold, or reshelved.
You won’t need to transcribe information onto paper slips. Items will be requested automatically by clicking the new "Request from SCRC" link in the library catalog record or the “Request!” button in online finding aids. These will appear beginning July 1.
If you are a remote researcher communicating with a staff member, you and the staff member can manage your requests together within your online user account.
You can view a detailed history of every request you have ever made in your user account.
How will this change help me with my teaching at the Special Collections Research Center?
With the assistance of a Special Collections Research Center staff member, you will set up class visits as "Events" within your user account. Requests for these events will be kept separately from requests for your personal research projects, allowing you to manage multiple projects easily.
After your class has visited the Special Collections, a record of the class will remain in your account permanently. If you decide to review or request the same materials in a future semester, you can view a detailed history of your requests for the original class.
Multiple patrons can request material for a class: co-instructors of a course, students, and Special Collections Research Center staff can all request materials for your class within their own research accounts.
How do I start using the system on the launch date?
Beginning July 1, 2009, all existing and new patrons will be required to create an account. Instructions for creating your account can be found on the Special Collections web page.
How long does it take to page items when I make a request on-site?
Requests are normally available in Special Collections within approximately 30 minutes.
What are future plans for the Special Collections Research Center online request system?
In a future stage of implementation, patrons will make and track all photoduplication orders in their online user accounts.
Why is the Special Collections Research Center implementing this system?
Requests made in this system are more flexible, efficient, and accurate when compared to requests made on paper call-slips. By providing patrons with access to their own accounts, we can be confident that patron information is up to date.
Who produced this system?
The product, Aeon, is produced by Atlas Systems, the same company that produced ILLiad, the Interlibrary Loan management system and Ares, the course materials management system, both used by the University of Chicago Library. You can learn more about Atlas and Aeon at this link: http://www.atlas-sys.com/products/aeon
