ILL (Interlibrary loan) requests

The ILL (Interlibrary loan) requests module adds the ability to request and manage loans or copies of material from external sources. Patrons can submit a request via the OPAC from the Interlibrary loan requests tab of their account. Library staff can then review and process those requests. Alternatively, staff can place requests themselves from the staff interface.

Interlibrary loans module settings

To enable the Interlibrary loans module, set the ILLModule system preference to “Enable”.

Σημείωση

Μόνο το προσωπικό με το δικαίωμα διαδανεισμού ill permission (ή το δικαίωμα superlibrarian) θα μπορεί να υποβάλλει και να διαχειρίζεται αιτήματα Διαδανεισμού.

Initial configuration

Before using the Interlibrary loans module, you will want to make sure you have reviewed all ILL-related configuration.

  • Backends: the ILL requests module can be configured for different types of requests and workflows. Koha uses “backends” to process ILL requests depending on how the document should be supplied. Some backends are available as plugins. Others are documented on the Koha community wiki at https://wiki.koha-community.org/wiki/ILL_backends.

  • System preferences for interlibrary loans: the most important one is the ILLModule system preference, the master switch for the ILL module.

  • Staff permissions: library staff responsible for ILL requests need the ill permission (or the superlibrarian permission).

  • Patron categories settings: choose which patron categories can place ILL requests from the OPAC.

  • Custom request statuses: the ILL requests module uses system-defined statuses. In addition, you can create as ILL_STATUS_ALIAS authorized values custom statuses to match your ILL workflow.

  • Branch prefix: in the Interlibrary loans module, you can display ILL request IDs prefixed with a different code depending on the library the request is associated with. To configure this, update the <branch> elements (within <interlibrary_loans>) in the koha-conf.xml file on your server.

    • You can repeat <branch> and everything within it to configure a prefix for each of your libraries.

    • Example: to prefix the requests of the library whose code is CPL with “CPL”, FFL library requests with “FFL” and LPL library requests with “LPL”.

      <branch>
         <!-- The code of this branch -->
         <code>CPL</code>
         <!-- An optional prefix for all ILL request IDs for this branch -->
         <prefix>CPL</prefix>
      </branch>
      <branch>
         <code>FFL</code>
         <prefix>FFL</prefix>
      </branch>
      <branch>
         <code>LPL</code>
         <prefix>LPL</prefix>
      </branch>
      
  • Staff comments: by default, these are hidden in the OPAC. To display them, update the <staff_request_comments> element (within <interlibrary_loans>) in the koha-conf.xml file on your server.

  • Reply date: by default, this information is hidden in the staff interface. To display it with your preferred label, update the <reply_date> element (within <interlibrary_loans>) in the koha-conf.xml file on your server.

Ειδοποιήσεις ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου για τους Διαδανεισμούς

Email notifications can be sent to library staff when a patron makes a request to modify (notice code: ILL_REQUEST_MODIFIED) or cancel (notice code: ILL_REQUEST_CANCEL) an existing request. Enable this feature using the ILLSendStaffNotices system preference.

The ILL staff email address can be configured per library in the Libraries settings. If there is no email for a library, the address in the ILLDefaultStaffEmail system preference will be used.

Notifications can be sent to patrons for updates on their requests:

  • ILL request update (notice code: ILL_REQUEST_UPDATE)

  • ILL request unavailable (notice code: ILL_REQUEST_UNAVAIL)

  • ILL request ready for pickup (notice code: ILL_PICKUP_READY)

The notifications are enabled from the patron categories default patron messaging preferences.

All notice templates can be customized in the Notices and slips tool.

Creating ILL requests

To create ILL requests in the staff interface, go to the ILL requests module.

  1. Click the “New ILL request” button.

    The "New ILL request" button is clicked; a menu for picking a backend is displayed, with options for PluginBackend and Standard.

    Σημείωση

    You will not see the drop-down options to select a backend if:

    In these cases, clicking the “New ILL request” button will take directly to step 3.

  2. Select a backend.

    Σημείωση

    The images shown here are for the Standard backend only.

    Σελίδα νέου αιτήματος Διαδανεισμού, χωρίς να έχει επιλεγεί ο τύπος του αιτήματος, με ένα σημείο για την προσθήκη προσαρμοσμένων πεδίων και ένα άλλο για τα στοιχεία των μελών.

  3. Select a Type: Book, Chapter, Journal, Journal article, Thesis, Conference, DVD, Other, Generic resource. A different set of metadata fields will display for each request type.

    Εμφανίζεται το επάνω μέρος της νέας σελίδας του αιτήματος διαδανεισμού με επιλεγμένο τον τύπο «Βιβλίο»- εμφανίζεται ένα σημείο για τα στοιχεία του βιβλίου.

  4. Εισαγάγετε όσες πληροφορίες θέλετε.

  5. Custom fields: add a new custom field if needed; for example if you wish to add a note or if you are using the “Other” type of request.

  6. Patron options:

    1. Card number, username or surname: type in the patron details.

    2. Destination library: select the library associated with the request.

  7. Click “Create”.

Σημείωση

If you have enabled the ILLCheckAvailability system preference and installed plugins for the staff interface, you will be presented with search results. If the title is found, follow the link to a relevant resource or proceed with the ILL request regardless. If no results are found, the ILL request is created.

Σημείωση

If you are using the AutoILLBackendPriority system preference, you will see the “Confirm request” screen. Select a backend and click “Confirm” to create the request.

On the ILL confirm request page, we can see three options, each in their own block: IncDocs, ReprintsDesk and Standard. Both IncDocs and ReprintsDesk show as 'Available'. IncDocs is ticked. Under the blocks is the message: 'The recommended source for your request is IncDocs'.

You can now manage your request or return to the list of all requests by clicking the “List requests” button.

Εμφάνιση αιτημάτων διαδανεισμού

From the main ILL requests screen you can view, filter and sort your ILL requests.

Click on the ‘List requests’ button from other pages in the ILL module to return to this list.

Μέρος της αρχικής σελίδας της ενότητας του Διαδανεισμού, που εμφανίζει έναν κατάλογο αιτημάτων Διαδανεισμού.

Πρακτική συμβουλή

You can customize this view.

There is a large amount of data available in the table; scroll right to see all the columns. You can define which columns are visible / hidden by default in the Table settings section of the Administration module (table id: ill-requests).

Use the filters on the left of the page to display a subset of requests based on your chosen criteria.

Φίλτρα αιτημάτων Διαδανεισμού - εμφανίζονται επιλογές για λέξη-κλειδί, κατάσταση, ημερομηνία υποβολής ανάμεσα σε, ενημέρωση ανάμεσα σε, βιβλιοθήκη, μέλος.

Διαχείριση των αιτημάτων διαδανεισμού

From the main ILL requests view, click on a request ID in the first column or on the “Manage request” button in the final column. The request’s full details are displayed.

On the Manage ILL request page, we can see a row of buttons: Edit request; Confirm request; PLace request with partners; Delete request; Edit item metadata; Send notice to patron; Display supplier metadata; ILL request log. Below are the Request details with some of the following values: Patron = Sam Page ; Library = Ada Lovelace Library; Status = New request; Last updated; Request type = thesis; Author; Institution; Publication date; Title. At the bottom is a section to add comments.

Depending on the current status of the request and the backend used, you may see some or all of the buttons described in the next section.

From this screen, you can add comments to the request. You may want to use comments to keep track of work undertaken. Comments are read-only (they cannot be edited or deleted). They are only visible in the staff interface. If any comments have been added to a request, a number will appear in the “Comments” column when viewing the full list of ILL requests.

Authenticated requests

Authenticated requests are requests linked to the Koha patron who requested the document. All requests placed in the staff interface or placed on the OPAC by patrons logged in to their account are authenticated requests.

New authenticated requests have the status “New request”. Staff can progress the requests straightaway by using some of the following buttons.

  • Edit request: to update the patron the request is associated with, which staff member is managing the request, the destination library.

    On the Edit request page, the Request details form includes the following fields and values: Patron ID = 13; Bibliographic record ID; Library = Ada Lovelace Library; Status = New request; Last updated = 10/04/2026 15:03; Request type = thesis; Cost = N/A; Price paid; Request ID = 4; Staff notes; OPAC notes.

    • OPAC and staff-only notes can be added from the edit screen.

    • If you have custom ILL statuses (managed through the ILL_STATUS_ALIAS authorized values category) you can apply one by editing the Status field.

  • Confirm request: to manually mark the request as “Requested”.

  • Place request with partners: for Koha to send a request to supply to a library. Using this option requires some prior configuration. The request status is then updated to “Requested from partners”.

    On the Place request with partner libraries page, we can see fields for: Filter partner libraries; Select partner libraries; Subject line; Email text. Underneath is a button labelled Send email.

    • Filter partner libraries: type keywords to narrow down the list of accounts displayed in the next field.

    • Select partner libraries: choose a recipient from the list of your ILL partners. Each account’s library code is shown in capital letters before the account name.

    • Subject line: you can customize the subject line of the email Koha will send.

    • Email text: you can customize the text of the email Koha will send.

    Σημείωση

    The default subject line and email text used here are defined in the ILL_PARTNER_REQ notice template in the Notices and slips tool.

  • Delete request: to fully delete the request. Details of deleted requests are not retained in the Koha database.

  • Edit item metadata: to update the metadata (title, author, etc.) for the title requested. This is useful when the information provided initially is incomplete or incorrect.

    Σημείωση

    Some backends may not allow updates to the metadata.

  • Send notice to patron: to send an update to the patron requesting the title.

    • ILL request ready for pickup: to alert the patron that their requested item is ready for collection. You can customize the notice text in the ILL_PICKUP_READY notice template in the Notices and slips tool.

    • ILL request unavailable: to inform the patron that your library will not be able to supply the requested title. You can customize the notice text in the ILL_REQUEST_UNAVAIL notice template in the Notices and slips tool.

  • Display supplier metadata: to view a text-only version of the details of the title requested. This may be useful in the cases where you need to quickly copy and paste this information outside of Koha.

  • ILL request log: to view a history of the actions on this request. For any information to be displayed here, the IllLog system preference needs to be set to “Log”.

    Request log showing entries for status changed and patron notice sent. For each entry, we see the date, time, name and card number of the user who performed the action, type of action and details. For example, the first entry reads: '03/06/2026 09:13 : Clara Birchwood (20001037) - Status changed: From "Requested from partners" to "Checked out".'

Other buttons you may see as you progress the request:

  • Switch provider: to select a different backend and request the title from another provider. This is useful when the the wrong backend was initially selected or when the provider has indicated they are unable to supply.

  • Revert request: to cancel the request placed with an external source. This button is visible when the request has a status of “Requested” or “Requested from partners”. The status is updated to “Request reverted”.

  • Check out: to checkout the item supplied by a partner library directly to the patron who placed the request. The request status is updated to “Checked out”.

  • Mark completed: to update the status to “Completed” when the request has been fulfilled and fully processed.

Unauthenticated requests

If the ILLOpacUnauthenticatedRequest system preference is set to “Allow”, patrons can place requests without being logged in or without having an account.

Έκδοση

This feature was first introduced in version 25.05 of Koha.

Requests placed in this way have the status “Unauthenticated”. Before they can be progressed, you need to link it to a patron record.

  1. From the main ILL requests view, identify a request with the status “Unauthenticated”.

  2. Click on the request ID in the first column or on the “Manage request” button in the final column to view the request’s full details.

  3. Click the “Edit request” button.

  4. The Unauthenticated request details section shows the details entered by the patron who placed the request. Use this to search for an existing patron.

    1. The “Patron ID” field at the top of the page can be used as a patron quick search. Start typing the patron name to see suggestions.

      On the Edit request page, the Request details form includes the following fields and values: Patron ID = sam (underneath are two suggestions for patrons Sam Hawkins and Sam Page); Managed by; Bibliographic record ID = 440; Library = Riverside; Status = Unauthenticated; Last updated = 05/29/2026 12:26; Request type = book; Cost = N/A; Price paid; Request ID = 2; Staff notes; OPAC notes. Underneath is a section for Unauthenticated request details, displaying the following information: First name = Sam; Last name = Page; Email = sam.page@unauth.ill

    2. Alternatively, you can open the Patrons module in another browser tab and perform your search there.

    Προειδοποίηση

    If the patron who placed the unauthenticated request is not yet a library member, you will need to add a new patron record for them before progressing the ILL request.

  5. Whether you are searching a patron by name in the Patron ID field or pasting their card number in the field, you will need to select the correct patron from the suggestions. The field will then update to display the borrowernumber.

  6. Click “Submit” to save your changes.

You can now manage the request in the same way as for other authenticated requests. The Unauthenticated request details section will stop displaying as it is not an unauthenticated request anymore.

Marking requests as completed

Some backends will automatically update the request status to “Complete”.

For all other backends, you should complete the request manually by clicking the “Mark completed” button on the Manage ILL request page.

  • If you do not have any ILL_STATUS_ALIAS authorized values defined, the request status will update to “Completed”.

  • If you have defined some ILL_STATUS_ALIAS authorized values, you will be prompted to select one.

    The following text appears above a drop-down menu: "Complete ILL request. Proceeding with this action will set this request to 'Completed'. You can select a status alias from the available options". Below are two buttons: Complete request; Cancel.

    Έκδοση

    The prompt for the status alias was first introduced in version 25.11 of Koha.

    You can still complete the request without selecting a status alias. Click “Complete request” to confirm your choice. The request status will update to “Complete” and your chosen status alias will be assigned to the request.

Πρακτική συμβουλή

Consider using ILL_STATUS_ALIAS authorized values with either the ILLHiddenRequestStatuses system preference or the ILLRequestsTabs system preference to hide or separate some completed requests from the full list of ILL requests. This will be useful when you start having many completed requests.

Υποβολή αιτήματος στους συνεργάτες

Εάν έχετε ένα δίκτυο συνεργαζόμενων βιβλιοθηκών που επιτρέπουν τα αιτήματα Διαδανεισμού, μπορείτε να το διαχειριστείτε μέσω του Koha. Αρχικά, πρέπει να δημιουργήσετε τους λογαριασμούς των συνεργαζόμενων βιβλιοθηκών:

  • Δημιουργείστε μία κατηγορία μέλους Create a patron category για τις βιβλιοθήκες που θα συνεργάζεστε. Μπορεί να θέλετε να της δώσετε την περιγραφή «Διαδανεισμός» ή «Βιβλιοθήκη» και έναν τύπο κατηγορίας «Οργανισμός». Στη συνέχεια, καταχωρίστε αυτή την κατηγορία στην παράμετρο του συστήματος για τον κωδικό συνεργάτη ILLPartnerCode.

  • Θα πρέπει να δημιουργήσετε έναν λογαριασμό μέλους με αυτή την κατηγορία μέλους για κάθε συνεργαζόμενη βιβλιοθήκη.

  • Κάθε βιβλιοθήκη πρέπει να διαθέτει διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου, καθώς αυτός θα είναι ο μηχανισμός αποστολής του αιτήματος διαδανεισμού.

Σημείωση

Το πρότυπο ειδοποίησης είναι ILL_PARTNER_REQ και το κείμενο μπορεί να προσαρμοστεί από το εργαλείο των Ειδοποιήσεων και σημειωμάτων Notices and slips tool.

Μπορείτε πλέον να χρησιμοποιείτε την επιλογή «Υποβολή αιτήματος σε συνεργάτες» κατά την επεξεργασία των αιτημάτων.

Σημείωση

Εάν έχετε ενεργοποιήσει την παράμετρο ILLCheckAvailability μπορείτε να χρησιμοποιήσετε πρόσθετα προγράμματα για να κάνετε αναζήτηση στους καταλόγους των βιβλιοθηκών των συνεργατών σας χρησιμοποιώντας Z39.50 πριν επιβεβαιώσετε το αίτημα με έναν συνεργάτη.

Κυκλοφορία υλικού με διαδανεισμό

Εάν έχετε ενεργοποιήσει την παράμετρο της κυκλοφορίας του υλικού στο Διαδανεισμό CirculateILL μπορείτε να δανειστείτε τα σχετικά τεκμήρια απευθείας από το αίτημα του Διαδανεισμού.

Όταν δημιουργείτε ένα αίτημα τύπου Βιβλίου, δημιουργείται αυτόματα μια σύντομη εγγραφή καταλόγου με βάση το πλαίσιο Fast Add MARC. Μόλις μια αίτηση αποκτήσει κατάλληλη κατάσταση, εμφανίζεται ένα κουμπί Δανεισμού στη γραμμή εργαλείων της Διαχείρισης αιτημάτων. Επιλέγοντάς το, ο χρήστης θα μπορέσει να κάνει δανεισμό του τεκμήριο είτε στον χρήστη που έκανε το αίτημα είτε σε ένα εσωτερικό στατιστικό μέλος.

Για να δανείσετε ένα τεκμήριο:

  • Επιλέξτε το κουμπί του Δανεισμού.

  • Επιλέξτε έναν τύπο τεκμηρίου όταν σας ζητηθεί. Δημιουργείται αυτόματα ένα τεκμήριο, το οποίο επισυνάπτεται στη βιβλιογραφική εγγραφή που δημιουργήθηκε για το αίτημα. Ο ραβδωκώδικας του τεκμηρίου έχει τη μορφή ILL-requestid.

  • Στη συνέχεια, στην οθόνη δανεισμού του μέλους επιλέξτε μια ημερομηνία λήξης. Εάν δεν επιλέξετε ημερομηνία λήξης, θα χρησιμοποιηθεί ο σχετικός κανόνας κυκλοφορίας για τον υπολογισμό της ημερομηνίας λήξης.

  • Μόλις το τεκμήριο δοθεί για δανεισμό, η κατάσταση του αιτήματος αλλάζει σε «Δανεισμένο» και αφού επιστρέψει από το δανεισμό, η κατάσταση αλλάζει σε «Επέστρεψε στη βιβλιοθήκη».

  • Οι βιβλιογραφικές εγγραφές που δημιουργούνται στο πλαίσιο ενός αιτήματος Διαδανεισμού θα έχουν μια επιπλέον καρτέλα στον πίνακα των τεκμηρίων που σας επιτρέπει να συνδεθείτε με το αίτημα στην ενότητα του Διαδανεισμού.

Reporting for ILL

To query ILL-related information in the Reports module, the main database tables are:

  • illrequests

  • illrequestattributes

Generic information about ILL-related transactions in stored in:

  • statistics

    • The statistics.type “illreq_created” corresponds to the creation of an ILL request.

    • The statistics.type “illreq_comp” corresponds to an ILL request being marked completed.

  • pseudonymized_transactions (if the Pseudonymization system preferences are in use)

    • The pseudonymized_transactions.transaction_type “illreq_created” corresponds to the creation of an ILL request.

    • The pseudonymized_transactions.transaction_type “illreq_comp” corresponds to an ILL request being marked completed.

Έκδοση

The recording of ILL transactions in the statistics and pseudonymized_transactions tables is a feature first introduced in version 25.11 of Koha.

Κατάσταση αιτημάτων

Koha has a set of core ILL statuses, listed below (with status codes as stored in the illrequests table). Installed backends may use additional statuses.

  • Νέο αίτημα (NEW)

  • Unauthenticated (UNAUTH)

  • Ζητήθηκε (REQ)

  • Ζητήθηκε από τους συνεργάτες (GENREQ)

  • Το αίτημα ανακλήθηκε (REQREV)

  • Cancellation requested – a patron has requested cancellation from the OPAC (CANCREQ)

  • Ολοκληρώθηκε (COMP)

  • Δανεισμένο (CHK)

  • Επέστρεψε στη βιβλιοθήκη (RET)