Relais requests are restricted to NSCAD faculty, students, graduates and staff. Off-Campus Borrowers are asked to please contact their local public library to request material outside of Novanet. Relais may be used to request material held by any institution.
Patrons may place a request here. Please include as much information as possible about the item you are requesting.
Helpful Hints:
As a member of the Canadian Association of University Libraries Document Delivery Group (CAUL-DDG), NSCAD LIbrary takes part in a resource-sharing agreement with a number of academic libraries in Canada.
Patrons are responsible for any interlibrary loan fees. If there are any charges associated with an item that you have requested, you will be advised of the charge in advance and given the opportunity to cancel the request, if desired.
Is there a charge for this service?
Our priority will always be to try to supply material at no charge. However, at times, the lending institution will charge a fee for the material; such charges are the responsibility of the patron. If there is to be a charge for your request, you will always be contacted, advised of the amount, and given the option of cancelling the request.
For more on interlibrary loan charges, see below left.
How do I pay charges for items requested through Relais?
We will charge the amount to your Novanet account. You may then pay at the circulation desk of any Novanet library.
How long will my item take to arrive?
Generally, article requests delivered electronically arrive within several days. Books are shipped by mail; depending on the location of the lending library they may take as little as a few days but often may take 2-3 weeks. Please note that these timelines are not guaranteed. Material that is difficult to find and/or items arriving from international locations often take longer.
If you have any questions or concerns about the timeline of a particular request, please contact our Interlibrary Loans Technician, Detta Morrison-Phillips or call 902-494-8255.
How do I cancel a request?
Please contact Detta Morrison-Phillips or call 902-494-8255 in order to cancel a request.
How do I receive articles?
Articles are delivered electronically; you will be notified by email. Each email will have a link to sign in to your Relais account to access the article; you will sign in with your library barcode and password (usually the last four digits of your phone number). The link can be opened 3 times, and is available for 14 days after delivery. If you have difficulty opening a link, please contact Detta Morrison-Phillips or call 902-494-8255. If you would prefer a print copy of the article you are requesting, please change Delivery Method on the Relais form from Email Link to Pickup. Print copies generally take longer to arrive.
How can I check the status of my request?
By logging into the Relais webform, you can see requests both past and present, check the status of a request and see due dates of material on loan. Just click on the appropriate item in the menu on the left.
How will I know that the book I requested has arrived?
You will receive an email notification. The notification will tell you that the item has arrived, where to pick it up, the due date and whether the item is renewable.
I received notification that the book I requested has arrived. Where do I pick it up?
You can pick the item up at the Library Office during regular office hours. Office hours are 9 am - 5 pm, Monday- Friday. You can make other arrangements to pick the item up, if this is not convenient for you.
How long is the loan period for books requested through Relais?
Lending libraries set the loan period; most frequently, items are loaned for 6 weeks from arrival.
Can I renew material?
You will be advised in the email notification of arrival whether or not an item is renewable. Under certain circumstances, it may be possible to renew an item designated as "non-renewable". Such renewals are at the discretion of the lending library.
I received notification that the item I borrowed is being recalled. What does this mean?
Occasionally, an item on loan to a patron may be recalled by the lending library. If your item is recalled, you must return it as soon as possible. In the case of a recall, it may be possible to borrow a copy of the item from another library.
Where do I return books borrowed through Relais?
We request that you return material borrowed through Relais to the NSCAD Library only (preferably directly to the Library Office).
I returned an item past the due date. Are there any overdue charges?
This may vary on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Detta Morrison-Phillips or call 902-494-8255. Note that borrowing privileges of delinquent patrons may be restricted or revoked.
I lost/damaged the item I borrowed. What happens now?
Please report lost or damaged items to Detta Morrison-Phillips or call 902-494-8255. She will contact the lending library, who will determine any charges. Patrons are responsible for the cost of replacement or repair of items borrowed.