FAQs SCRC Online Request System

The Special Collections Research Center is pleased to announce the 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 Special Collections material requests online. It replaces the existing paper paging system.

All patrons will begin by creating 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.

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.

The program behind this system, 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. If you have used ILLiad or Ares, you will be familiar with some of the features of the SCRC online request system.You can learn more about Atlas and Aeon at this link: http://www.atlas-sys.com/products/aeon

How does the online request system 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 don't need to transcribe information onto paper slips. Items are requested automatically by clicking the new "Request from SCRC" link in the library catalog record or the "Request!" button in online finding aids.
• 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 does the online request system 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 are 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 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. Please note that requests placed after 4:15 pm on weekdays will not be available until the following morning, generally 30 minutes after we open. Requests placed when we are closed on the weekend will not be available until the morning of the next business day.

How many items can I request at one time?

You may have 20 active requests at any given time. This means you can have up to 20 books, manuscripts, or archival boxes either on hold or in photoduplication. Once an item is reshelved it is no longer an active request and is not counted as part of your 20 items. Please note that we circulate archival boxes and manuscript material one box or folderat a time in the reading room.

Can I request items in advance of my visit?
Yes! If you are planning a visit to Special Collections you are welcome to create an account and begin making requests. Please be sure indicate in the Notes field of your request the date and time you will need the items so we can retrieve them in a timely manner. We retrieve items in the order they are requested, so if you want to see certain items first make sure they are the first things you request, and/or indicate your priorities in the Notes field.

Can I request photocopies using the online request system?

At this time we are not able to offer photocopy or scan requests, either remotely or on-site, using our online request system. In a future stage of implementation, patrons will be able to request and track all photoduplication orders in their online user accounts. If you are off-site and would like to request copies please use our webform.

I cannot visit Special Collections but have a question about your holdings. How can I get help?

We offer reference and photoduplication services to researchers located off-site. Please email your question using our webform . Unfortunately we are not able to answer reference questions over the phone. For more information on our reference services please see our website.

I need permission to publish an image I obtained from the Special Collections Research Center. Can I use the online request system for permissions?
The online request system cannot be used to process publication permission requests. Please complete the appropriate permissions request form on our website.

Is my personal information and the information about my requests secure and private?
The online request system is consistent with the Library's commitment to protect the privacy of its patrons as expressed in the University of Chicago Library Privacy Statement. Information stored in the online request system is accessible only to you and to SCRC staff who use it to fulfill your requests.