The changing use of electronic document delivery in the inter‐library loan service: a survey

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to outline findings of a recent MSc study into electronic article provision in interlending and document supply presented to the Robert Gordon University in June 2007.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is primarily based on data from questionnaires circulated to UK ILL departments (in academic, public, industrial, health and special libraries), recent users of ILL in a UK academic library and library managers within UK academic HE and public libraries.FindingsElectronic document delivery was found to be used by half of libraries who responded: it was widespread in academic libraries, but seldom used in public libraries where demand for articles is comparatively low. Academic users appreciate the move to desktop delivery and the trend towards electronic delivery of articles in ILL is expected to grow in the future.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is based on a survey data of libraries and users (in an academic environment) in the UK and Ireland. As such it provides a snapshot of the situation and represents the views of the participants at that time.Practical implicationsThe user survey shows that, in an academic context, users welcome the move to desktop delivery.Originality/valueThis paper provides a snapshot of the prevalence of, and attitudes to, electronic article delivery within the UK and Ireland.