The Invisible Employee: Success and Fragility of Automating Interlibrary Loan

Libraries and their interlibrary loan departments have enacted different methods for improving processes and services to create greater efficiency and less waste. Techniques range from holistic, and expansive process improvement projects to leveraging the ability of request management systems to automate processes and services successfully. This article explores the effect of automation on the output of a sample interlibrary loan department and points out possible challenges that this automation success may create in the future.     

The Ten Commandments of Interlibrary Loan Borrowing,Interlibrary Loan Lending,and Shipping and General Conduct

The Ten Commandments of interlibrary loan borrowing, the Ten Commandments of interlibrary loan lending, and the Ten Commandments of shipping and general conduct, including basic rules to make interlibrary loan go smoothly. The title says it all.     

Interlibrary Loan Internet Accessible Database (ILLiad)

Abstract

One year after the implementation of the Interlibrary Loan Internet Accessible Database (ILLiad) software, a patron satisfaction Interlibrary Loan user service study was conducted at Ellender Memorial Library, Nicholls State University, by the Interlibrary Loan Librarian. A questionnaire with sixteen questions was distributed to faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students. The data received was entered into Microsoft Excel and converted into the SPSS system. Frequency tables were produced. The outcome of the user study was recorded in a PowerPoint presentation with slides of statistical data graphs. The ILLiad user study produced a high rating of the ILLiad system and confirms that sixty percent of the participants were faculty members who are committed to research and in need of accessing additional research resources for their writing, presenting and publishing of professional papers. Faculty and students have shown their gratitude to Interlibrary Loan Services, confirming the main purpose of interlibrary loans is for research and degree programs. Many institutions provide this privilege only for their faculty and graduate students. Ellender Memorial Library encourages undergraduate students who are striving for excellence in their studies to use Interlibrary Loan Services. It can be surmised that the ILLiad electronic and web-based services are more efficient, and that patrons are more computer literate than ever before and favor the new technology and advanced services in our institution.     

Developing a Data Narrative: Analyzing Trends in an Academic Interlibrary Loan Department

Between 2010 and 2015, interlibrary loan request rates at Albertsons Library at Boise State University were observed to be in decline. This study details the efforts to explore this trend and to determine a cause using existing data available through the OCLC Atlas ILLiad Web Reports interface. A simple but effective method to analyze these substantial reports is presented and practical examples of analysis conducted at Albertsons Library are discussed. By looking at factors such as usage patterns, new user registrations, and cancelation language, the decrease in borrowing and lending requests was confirmed and attributed primarily to decreases in graduate student ILLiad registrations and a lending ebook deflection implemented in 2015. Additional, focused qualitative assessment and updates to user interfaces were recommended as a result of the study.     

Self-Service Interlibrary Loan

Abstract

Technology is rapidly moving libraries toward a self-service interlibrary loan model. Patrons currently request books and articles through OCLC's unmediated ILL Direct Request service, and interlibrary loan management software enables users to request, track, and renew borrowed materials unassisted online. In addition, products such as SFX and Serials Solutions further expand unmediated requesting. Peer-to-peer resource sharing defined by the ISO ILL Protocol and direct consortial borrowing, which has become possible following the recently approved NCIP standard, encourage and support the widespread development of self-service interlibrary loan. As borrowing from other collections becomes an almost effortless process for library users, reference librarians must find ways to encourage patron use of local collections, as well as familiarize themselves with the mechanics of unmediated interlibrary loan to better assist patrons in their use of evolving interlibrary loan technology.     

Implementing ILLiad: A Successful Collaboration of the Systems and Interlibrary Loan Departments in an Academic Library

In libraries, collaboration between departments or individuals can be the best way to implement a new project. This article will examine the implementation of ILLiad at the University of Toledo and show how a successful collaborative relationship was formed between the Interlibrary Loan and Systems Departments. It will demonstrate that, although challenging at times, collaboration is worth the effort in order to introduce a new service successfully.     

Interlibrary Loan Interoperability Experiment: A Nontechnical View

Accessing interlibrary loan requests from various resource-sharing software systems through a single interface has long been a promise of vendors—a promise not often implemented. Our region of New York State chose VDX for its hundreds of libraries, while the State University of New York at New Paltz, the major lender, is a participant in OCLC via ILLiad. Our staff required training and updates for both systems. This article describes our successful efforts to implement interoperability and the steps and missteps encountered to achieve compatibility between VDX and ILLiad.     

Enriching Your Wealth of Resources by Marketing Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a service that increases user access to resources, however it is of little use if no one knows about it. ILL statistics at libraries generally show that the service as a whole is well used, but upon closer inspection it becomes clear that these high usage statistics are generated by library power users, and not by new, novice, or intermediate users. When conducting thorough research, it frequently extends beyond the holdings of an individual library, which makes ILL essential. Therefore, it is important for users to know about and use this service. While ILL enhances what libraries can offer, very few libraries focus their marketing on ILL. Instead, most libraries simply lump ILL into the marketing of library resources and services in general. In this article we analyze libraries that have broken out of the mold to market ILL in innovative, cost-effective ways, and we will share the marketing campaign we undertook at Wheaton College (IL).     

A Telecommuting Interlibrary Loan Librarian's Experience: The Views of Both the Telecommuter and the On-Site Supervisor

Because of the changing world of librarianship and the introduction of new technologies, telecommuting has become an innovative option for certain jobs in the library. Telework gives an organization the opportunity to retain skilled employees and cut the costs of recruiting, selection, and training of a new employee. There are certain tasks in the workflow of the interlibrary loan department that could permit an employee to work from a distance. This is specifically due to resource sharing management systems such as ILLiad. Florida Atlantic University decided to retain an interlibrary loan employee who had to relocate and try telecommuting on a trial basis. This paper details the employee's experiences.     

Book-Buying Through Interlibrary Loan: Analysis of the First Eight Years at a Large Public University Library

Purchasing recently published books rather than requesting them through interlibrary loan provides rapid service to patrons and builds the collection with relevant materials that circulate at least as much as books purchased through traditional methods. This article is a case study of how Joyner Library at East Carolina University has used interlibrary loan to purchase requested titles from 2006 through 2014 and provides an analysis of the results. The mechanics, changes, and successes along the way of the eight years of the service are discussed.     

Reflecting Usability Engineering Goals in Interlibrary Loan User Interfaces

Many interlibrary loan services have an online Web presence, ranging from a page of policy information to an entire Web-based system dedicated to providing interlibrary loan services. This article summarizes key themes and works in user-centered design theory and suggests ways to apply usability engineering goals to designing interlibrary loan online interfaces.     

The Consolidation of Two Campus Interlibrary Loan Units Into One: A Partnership Between Law and Main Campus

Until July 2009 Valparaiso University had two campus interlibrary loan units, one serving the main campus and the other serving the law school. In the wake of a projected 15–20% campuswide budget cut, the two campus libraries investigated ways to work together to reduce costs. The libraries came together with Online Computer Library Center and Atlas Systems, Inc., to consolidate the two separate units and ILLiad databases into one. This article discusses the reasons for merging two interlibrary loan units and the steps undertaken to combine two ILLiad systems.     

Interlibrary Loan Patron Use Patterns: An Examination of Borrowing Requests at a Midsized Academic Library

The results of a recently conducted study of interlibrary loan fee-based borrowing requests are presented in this article. The study examined 3,074 borrowing requests completed over a three-year period from January 2007 to December 2009. Statistics were analyzed to understand patron behavior in submitting requests and the types of materials being requested.     

Electronic Interlibrary Loan Delivery with Ariel and ILLiad

SUMMARY

Ariel files are the starting point for electronic delivery of interlibrary loan articles through ILLiad, Virginia Tech's interlibrary loan system. Despite some advantages to electronic delivery of articles to their desktops, a large majority of ILL customers continue to prefer print on paper delivery rather than electronic delivery. This fact has implications for introducing additional electronic services. Correctly choosing what services to impose on library customers, and what services to offer as value-added options, is fundamental to maintaining the credibility of libraries during these times of rapid change.     

Interlibrary Loan Fill Rates: The Audiovisual Conundrum

To execute an effective marketing campaign, especially one featuring a complex process, the library must combine marketing ideas with technological improvements that lower barriers to entry. In conjunction with the University Libraries’ Communications and Marketing Department, Texas Tech's Document Delivery Department embarked on a project to raise user awareness of Document Delivery and the services it offers. This case study examines how Texas Tech's Document Delivery Department lowered its barriers to entry for services and branded the service in order to raise awareness.     

On Our Own: Starting an Interlibrary Loan Service From Scratch

In August 2009, the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Medical Library opened its doors to students, faculty, and staff. One of the many challenges before opening the library was developing a unique and autonomous interlibrary loan service for its patrons. This article examines the decisions in choosing the best document delivery system, the management of funds, and the selection of holdings for a new medical library. Along with these decisions, there is discussion on the significance of costs, turnaround times, and challenges going forward.     

Interlibrary Loan From a Distance Learning Perspective: Trying a Hybrid Position

Libraries have long recognized the value of interlibrary loan to distance learning students. Based on the experiences of a librarian who is both a resource-sharing and distance learning librarian, the characteristics and possible strategies of a (distance) learner-centered interlibrary loan model are proposed.     

以实践评析BALIS馆际互借服务体系——以中国传媒大学图书馆为例

以中国传媒大学图书馆的BALIS馆际互借工作实践为基础,借助工作中的学习成果,以具体工作实例为切入点,总结分析了BALIS馆际互借服务体系的优势,并提出了BALIS馆际互借服务体系目前存在的待改进之处。     

Interlibrary Loan Meets Six Sigma: The University of Arizona Library's Success Applying Process Improvement

In 2004, the University of Arizona Library Document Delivery Team embarked on a strategic project to assess the service quality and cost of filling interlibrary loan journal article borrowing requests. The Document Delivery Team utilized a Six Sigma Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control process improvement method. Improvements that were implemented as a result of this study led to increased satisfaction, decreased turnaround time, and lower cost per delivered article. Customer satisfaction surveys were utilized to discover customer expectations and requirements and to evaluate the effect of improvements on the customer experience. Measurement of internal business processes and cost analysis tools were used to determine cost savings.