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Convergence between interlibrary loan and acquisitions: can
it be done?
Louis Houle
Abstract | Paper in
Portable Document Format (PDF) Presentation in Microsoft® PowerPoint®
format
Libraries are looking at new types
of services to improve the dissemination of information to their patrons. One
such new service, the integration of Interlibrary Loan with acquisitions and
collection development, looks like a promising approach to meet the patrons'
information needs. The McGill University model will be presented where a
special fund was set aside to purchase books requested by patrons through ILL
processes. The requests that meet selection criteria are not sent through the
regular ILL borrowing channels but are instead turned into rush acquisitions.
The ILL Librarian does both the selection of the ILL requests and the ordering
of the books. The books are ordered through WEB sources (such as Amazon, Barnes
& Noble, etc.) and purchased with a credit card. Books are received in ILL
and rush processed prior to patron delivery. This service has been in place for
21 months. Results on the turnaround time, the circulation of books, the
average cost per title and the effectiveness of this service will be presented.
The paper will demonstrate that
the convergence of ILL and acquisitions is an important service and it does
meet the patrons' needs quickly and efficiently. |