Desktop Document Delivery Instructions

The Health Sciences Libraries Document Services provides desktop delivery of articles via scanned PDF files.

If you wish to have articles delivered directly to your desktop, you need to meet certain technical requirements. If you qualify, please see the test file instructions on how to download and print the test file.

Windows

Technical requirements
Instructions for downloading Adobe Acrobat Reader
Test file instructions
Instructions for requesting and retrieving articles

Macintosh

Technical requirements
Instructions for downloading Adobe Acrobat Reader
Test file instructions
Instructions for requesting and retrieving articles

UNIX

It is possible to retrieve PDF delivery of articles on a UNIX computer. However, this is not supported by Document Services.
Adobe Acrobat Reader (available from Adobe's Website)
Test file instructions
Instructions for requesting and retrieving articles

Technical Requirements

In order to qualify for PDF delivery of articles, you need to meet the following technical requirements.

Hardware
- PC: Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, 8 Mb of RAM minimum (16 Mb recommended), 100 Mb available space on hard drive
- Macintosh: System 7.1 or higher, 8 Mb of RAM minimum (16 Mb recommended), 80 Mb available space on hard drive
Email Account
Adobe Acrobat Reader: can be downloaded for no charge. Simple Adobe installation instructions are available for the beginning computer user
Mozilla or Internet Explorer version 4 or higher
Laser Printer (recommended)

Test File Instructions

If you meet the technical requirements, try downloading and printing a test document.

Click on this link to retrieve the test document.
After retrieving the document, make sure you can print it.

Upon successful printing of the test file, you may request PDF File as the delivery option for any document request submitted.

Requesting PDF Desktop Document Delivery and Retrieving Articles

Once your request has been received, we scan the material into PDF format. This usually takes 1-3 working days if available on campus; longer if obtained from outside sources. If you have chosen "PDF EMAIL" as your delivery method, when the article is ready it will be sent to you as an attachment to your email. If you have chosen "PDF WEB" as your delivery method, when the article is ready you will receive an email message that includes a login & PIN number and a Web address where you can retrieve your article.

Remember: The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Articles delivered in PDF format are for your own personal use only.

Contact Document Services at hslorder@u.washington.edu, (206) 543-3436, or 543-3441 if you have questions or experience difficulties.