Explosive ILL Growth at the University of Montana

Abstract

Abstract This article explores the causes and the consequences of rapid growth in Interlibrary Loan use at the University of Montana between 1984–1990. For many years the state university library had emphasized traditional collection development and ownership. Since 1984, however, slow attrition of the acquisition budget, coupled with serials inflation, and a concomitant development of new electronic information sources, has forced a new emphasis—access, resource sharing, and temporary ownership. The result has been a steady and rapid growth of the Interlibrary Loan service. From 1984–1990 ILL use increased almost 200%. This specific case study from the Mansfield Library can serve as a template or guide for possible solutions, for what has transpired here is not unusual. In fact, our experience is illustrative of widespread problems that confront many libraries.