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Public libraries: when to borrow, when to
buy
Rolf
Holm
Abstract | Paper in
Portable Document Format (PDF) Presentation in Microsoft® PowerPoint®
format
The public libraries in
Östergötland treat every interlibrary loan request as a presumptive
purchase request. The idea is to create and maintain a library collection
adjusted to the needs of the specific community. At a county/regional level the
purpose is to get a higher degree of self sufficiency. The idea is that the
library should contribute to the vision of the region as an attractive place
for people to live and work in. The local and the regional collection
development plans are closely connected with the policy for interlibrary loans.
Viewed in this overall perspective
the question of "when to borrow, when to buy" is one important factor of
success worth working with. To succed we use specific tools, some of which are
mentioned below.
Quality criteria: Every
interlibrary loan request is assessed according to quality criteria.
Two survey weeks: The county
library conducts, at least twice a year, a followup of the interlibrary loan
requests sent there by the public libraries in the region. They are assessed
according to certain criterias. This is a way to study if the agreed principles
for "when to borrow, when to buy" are being followed.
Surveying the whole county: Since
the past year the county´s selfsufficiency level is being surveyed. In
the months of March and April every public library in the county registers from
where they make interlibrary loans. They also record if the item is purchasable
and if they did buy instead of borrow.
Self sufficiency level: Our
ambition is to reach a selfsufficiency level of 80% when it comes to
interlibrary loans. The situation today is that the county of
Östergötland achieves a little more than 50%. To reach the goal
requires a greater awareness in collection development.
Collection development: The
foundation for determining "when to borrow, when to buy" is knowledge and
awareness achieved through education and training in the area of collection
development. |