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



Public libraries: when to borrow, when to buy

Rolf Holm

Abstract | Paper in [PDF] 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.

 

 

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