Resource Sharing

Libraries cannot own every resource their users may need, so we work together through global resource-sharing networks. These partnerships allow UConn Law faculty, students, and staff to request materials from libraries around the world, extending access far beyond our own shelves. If we do not have an item in our collection, we will make every reasonable effort to obtain it for you through our resource sharing partners.

What is Tipasa?

Tipasa is the system used by the UConn Law Library to process and manage Resource Sharing requests. You can log in to check the status of requests, download electronically received articles, renew items, or cancel requests.

Submitting a request through WorldCat is the most efficient way to submit a Resource Sharing request, as it provides the most complete information to the lending library. To submit a request through WorldCat:

Access WorldCat through the library's website.
Using the search interface, locate the desired item.
When you have located the item, open the record and click the blue highlighted "Request Item Through Resource Sharing" link.
Sign in, and the information from the WorldCat record will auto-populate in a New Request form
Review the information and make any necessary changes (Note: if you are requesting an article, you will have to add the year, page numbers, and title of the article).
Click "Submit"

Before submitting a request:

Check the following places to be sure that the item is not already available at the library or on the web:

Search the catalog.
For article requests, check the E-Journal Locator.
Search the web using sites such as Google Scholar, Google Books, Internet Archive, and Hathi Trust.

How to Request:

Via WorldCat (Recommended): Find the item in WorldCat and click "Request Item Through Resource Sharing". This auto-populates the form.
Via Resource Sharing: Log in directly and select "Create Request". Fill out as much information as you have about the item. The more information you provide, the more quickly the request will be processed. Use the "Notes" section to give us any additional information that you have about the item.

The library retrieves and delivers books, articles, primary law sources, and other publications from the Law Library, licensed or free online sources, and external libraries via Resource Sharing. Our default delivery for electronic materials is Tipasa, our Resource Sharing system. Print materials are delivered to faculty mailboxes.

Ways to Request:

Directly through the Library Catalog.
Via Tipasa
Email: docdel.lawlib@uconn.edu

Turnaround:

Please allow at least 2 business days to fill your request. Items that are obtained from other libraries may take significantly longer.
Turn-around time depends on availability of the item on campus and number of requests in the system.
Please include a specific date/time for rush requests; we will notify you if we cannot meet your requested time.

Delivery:

Articles, book chapters, and other digital materials are sent via Tipasa Monday-Friday and are available for 5 views or 30 days, whichever comes first.
Books are delivered to faculty mailboxes on a varying schedule, Monday-Friday.

If you need any assistance with Resource Sharing requests, email docdel.lawlib@.uconn.edu, call the Resource Sharing Department at 860-570-5116, or stop by the Main Desk Monday through Friday.

I cannot find the item I want in WorldCat. How can I request it through Resource Sharing?

If an item is not in WorldCat, then none of the libraries participating in Resource Sharing own it. Keep in mind that there may simply be a mistake in the citation. Try modifying your search in WorldCat or perform a search in Google to verify the citation. For assistance from a reference librarian, visit the Main Desk in the law library or email refdesk.lawlib@uconn.edu.

Why was my request cancelled by Resource Sharing staff?

This can happen for several reasons. If the item is available in the library, Resource Sharing staff will cancel the request and provide information about how to find the item within our collection, such as a link to the database from which the item may be viewed or downloaded. Occasionally, there is no library willing to lend the requested item. If this happens, please speak with a reference librarian about finding another source to meet your needs.

If the library owns the item, but it is checked out or missing, can I request it through Resource Sharing?

If the item is noted as Missing in the catalog, you may submit a Resource Sharing request for it. If the item is checked out, please fill out a Recall Request at the Law Library Main Desk. If you cannot locate the item on the shelf in the library, please visit the Law Library Main Desk to report the problem. Law Library staff will search for the book, but if they cannot find it, you can submit an Resource Sharing request for the item.

What is the status of my request?

Log onto Tipasa to review the status of your requests. If you need further assistance, contact the Resource Sharing department at docdel.lawlib@uconn.edu.

How do I renew a Resource Sharing item?

Log onto your Tipasa account, and click on the transaction number of the item you wish to renew. Look for the "Renew" link. If an item is overdue, you will not be able to renew it. In that situation, email the Resource Sharing Department to ask that they request the item from another library.

How do I know when an item is due?

The paperwork that is attached to the front cover of your Resource Sharing item will note the due date. You can also find the due dates of all of the items you have borrowed through Resource Sharing by logging into your Tipasa account. All items checked out to your account will be displayed along with their respective due dates.

How do I access electronic articles?

Most articles are delivered electronically. When an article becomes available, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access it. Articles are only available for 5 views or 30 days, so download or print articles as soon as possible after receiving them. You can also see what articles have been delivered to you electronically by logging onto your Tipasa account.

How do I add special instructions to a Resource Sharing request?

In the Tipasa request form, add any special instructions to the "Notes" field. These notes can be seen by the law library's Resource Sharing staff, but not the lending library's staff. Note: If you have submitted the request though WorldCat, it may be sent to the lending library directly without being processed by the law library's staff. To ensure that the law library's staff sees your instructions, the "OCLC Number" field must be blank. If that field is filled out, simply cut and paste the number into the "Notes" field.

I have received a notice that a Resource Sharing item I have has been recalled. What does this mean?

If you receive a notice that an item has been recalled by the lending library, please return it to the library as soon as possible. We will be happy to request another copy of the item from a different library.

Lending via OCLC

Lending services are provided to other libraries, academic institutions, government and non-profit entities, and certain for-profit organizations, including law firms. Requests from individuals are not accepted. If you are not affiliated with an academic institution and wish to borrow material from the Law Library, please contact your local library to place a request.

OCLC libraries should submit requests via OCLC. The UConn Law Library’s OCLC symbol is UCL. Please submit separate requests for each item. The UConn Law Library participates in NELLCO’s Expanded Resource Sharing program; please indicate your affiliation on your request.

Generally, circulating items from the UConn Law Library catalog are available for lending, with the following exceptions:

Items on course reserve
Reference materials
Special collections

The following may be loaned or copied at the discretion of Resource Sharing staff:

Looseleafs
Microfilm and microfiche

The default lending period for book loans is eight (8) weeks, but certain items may be loaned for shorter periods. Renewal requests are usually granted in eight (8) week increments, unless there is a need for the item to be returned sooner. Up to two renewals are permitted.

Lending & Document Delivery via Tipasa

Certain organizations that do not participate in OCLC’s network, such as law firm and court libraries, are permitted to request materials directly through Tipasa. For-profit institutions will be charged a fee for this service.

Each organization must have its own Tipasa account. Previous accounts that were created in ILLiad will not be accepted. To create an account, send an email to docdel.lawlib@uconn.edu including:

Your first and last name
Your institution
Your email address
Your shipping address
Your telephone number

Shipping

We ship books via UPS. For some libraries, such as law firms, who prefer FedEx, please provide us with your FedEx account number for shipping.

We do not ship books via deliverIT CT (formerly Connecticar), but we do accept returns using this service. Our route number is E83.

Lending Charges

Service	Consortia & Reciprocal	Non-Consortia & Non-Reciprocal	Law Firms, Corporate, and For-Profit Institutions	International
Scanned Articles or book chapters*	Free	$25	$35	$30
Loans	Free	$25	$50	$45

^{*Except for consortia and reciprocal libraries, extra fees may apply for scanned items over fifty (50) pages in length.}

Lost Interlibrary Loan Materials

Any book that is marked as lost will be charged the cost of replacement plus a non-refundable $75 processing fee.

The UConn Law Library participates in NELLCO’s Expanded Resource Sharing program, and does not charge any reciprocating OCLC academic, federal, or state library. As a courtesy, no lending fees are charged to any OCLC academic library in Connecticut or any New England State University.
Payment through OCLC’s IFM is preferred, and IFLA vouchers are accepted when necessary. We cannot accept credit card payments at this time. An invoice will be sent concurrent with shipment of the loan or article for all others. Prompt payment is requested.

Checks should be payable to: UConn Law Library

Mail payment to:

Resource Sharing Services
UConn Law
Thomas J. Meskill Law Library
39 Elizabeth Street
Hartford, CT 06105

Invoices unpaid after 60 days will incur additional fees.

Thomas J. Meskill Law Library

What is Resource Sharing?