SEMINAR ON INTERLIBRARY LENDING IN WESTERN EUROPE: A REPORT

Abstract

A seminar on interlibrary lending in Western Europe was held in September 1983, to review the present situation and consider future development. Papers were presented on the position in 16 countries. Good statistics are generally lacking on both demand and performance, document supply has been increasingly recognized as important, and several countries have made efforts to plan for more effective national provision and supply, mostly involving subject specialization. Schemes are limited by the need to keep within a restricted budget and a lack of additional government funding. Automated union catalogues have been developed or planned in most countries. On the costs of interlending there is increasing debate but little consensus; charges are rarely made. The impact of new technology on requesting and supplying documents will be gradual but may be profound, particularly in that it will increase the involvement of the private sector. International lending continues to develop, especially in the Nordic area. The seminar agreed on various action points to keep representatives of all the countries informed of developments and to promote better and easier use of one another's resources.