|
Is it circulation or is it interlibrary loan? Benefits of
automating interlibrary loan workflows using the new NISO Z39.83
standard
Gail Wanner
Abstract | Paper in
Portable Document Format (PDF) Presentation in Microsoft® PowerPoint®
format
What uses local holds, routing and
patron notification and is used for obtaining materials from other libraries?
Some people call it "extended circulation." Or Direct Consortial Borrowing. I'd
call it "self-service" interlibrary loan. It's a revolutionary idea but one
that's well worth examining closely.
Self service interlibrary loan has
two parts: user-initiated requesting and automated request management for
borrowing and lending tasks. Experience has shown that, as with the
introduction of user-initiated holds, none of the most common objections to
user-initiated requesting are major impediments and libraries who have
implemented self-service ILL are enthusiastic about the benefits they see in
staff time savings and user satisfaction. Imagine a group of libraries who are
geographically close, have installed automation systems from a variety of
vendors, and have patrons who tend to use multiple libraries. Today these
libraries can save up to 80% of the time that it currently takes to process and
manage interlibrary loans in a traditional manner while filling requests more
quickly. And the future offers greater benefits as circulation systems become
more fully NCIP (NISO Z39.83) capable.
Regardless of whether it's called
Interlibrary Loan or Circulation or some new term, self-service interlibrary
loan is a big step toward making ILL an affordable option for the future.
|