Systems and Methods of Document Delivery in the Foreign Libraries

Abstract

In the modern digital society, innovative technologies are coming to the fore in the activities of libraries; with their help the libraries can focus on the value of their role in culture and education, meet information needs in the context of digital transformation. At the same time, libraries try to facilitate the work of their employees as much as possible and simplify the efforts of readers in obtaining the necessary literature. This can be achieved by automation of the process of delivery and return of library materials ordered by users within the premises of the library. As a rule, for such purposes there is used telelift — an automated monorail handling system designed for the delivery of goods up to 50 kg (documents, books, magazines, etc.) inside buildings and premises. Telelift is installed in many large libraries, including national libraries in many countries. In addition to telelifts, national libraries use some other document delivery systems. So, the national library of the Netherlands, which is located in one building, has three reading rooms and several storages in the same building, uses the automated storage and retrieval systems of Swisslog company. The article is based on studying the materials of websites of the national libraries, the appeals to the library virtual reference services Ask a Librarian, correspondence with employees of the departments of storage and library and information services of national libraries, as well as additional questionnaire surveys of libraries on the issues related to the storage of library materials. The questionnaire covered the following topics: conducting complete or partial audit, types of audit, use of RFID tags, delivery of material to reading rooms, including, from the remote repositories, the preferred format for issuing a document to the user if this document has a copy (microfilm, microfiche, electronic copy, etc.), as well as statistics of binding and restoration work, ordering necessary materials by readers, etc. The article presents the questionnaire survey responses of the national libraries of Switzerland, Korea, the Royal Library of Netherlands, the British Library, as well as the the Library and Archives of Canada.