FirstSearch databases are one set of electronic resources the UH Libraries provide to their patrons. One of the features of FirstSearch allows users to create and send an interlibrary loan request directly to the UH ILL Dept. or to potential lenders. Note: You must have an ILLiad account before you can submit a request.
If you are in the M. D. Anderson Library, you can access the FirstSearch databases from the computers in the Electronic Publications Center (EPC) located in the First Floor, Red Wing. Start from the University of Houston Libraries home page.
Under the heading Research a Topic, click on Find Articles (Electronic Databases). Do a search on one of the databases. FirstSearch databases are identifiable by the words OCLC FirstSearch appearing in the upper left-hand corner of the opening screen.
Remote AccessTo access databases from on campus but outside the library network, you must configure your browser to connect to our proxy server. Off-campus access also requires a valid Cougar 1Card (available to current, registered UH main campus students, faculty and staff), and a library PIN. Follow all of the steps in Connect from Home or Office.
You can use FirstSearch ILL only from a Detailed Record display, not from a List of Records display.
Once you have a Detailed Record on the screen, check to verify if your item is owned by the UH Libraries. Click on Search the catalog at University of Houston Catalog in the Ownership field.
If the UH Libraries do not own the item, you may place a FirstSearch ILL request:
Remember that you must have an ILLiad account before you can submit a request.
From the Detailed Record display, click the ILL icon.
Fill out your ILLiad username and e-mail address.
Click the Submit button to send the request to ILL.
You should see the message Your ILL request was sent successfully.
