8th Interlending and Document Supply International Conference, Canberra Australia 28-31 October 2003
 



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 [PDF] 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.

 

 

 
  National Library of Australia Australian Library and Information Association International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions