Document Supply Service Research Articles

The Russian State Library: Russia's national centre for interlibrary loan and document delivery

PurposeThis paper aims to describe the document supply services of the Russian State Library.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is descriptive in nature.FindingsAfter the hiatus of the 1990s the document supply service has recovered and is developing new electronic services. Resource sharing is also growing.Originality/valueThe paper provides a historical and contemporary overview of the development of document supply in Russia and the Soviet Union.

British Library document supply – a fork in the road

PurposeThis paper seeks to provide an overview of recent developments within the British Library's document supply service and offer an insight into future plans.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of a general review.FindingsThe British Library Document Supply Centre (BLDSC) has made tremendous gains in optimising the service in its current guise. As with similar organisations, challenges are presenting themselves that require a completely new look at the way the business model is designed. Although the long‐term plan is not completely formed, this paper aims to give an insight into current thinking.Originality/valueThe paper spells out the improvement strategy that the BL has adopted for document supply in the light of the worldwide decline.

Document supply services enhance access to information resources in Uganda

PurposeThis paper aims to highlight the development of document supply services in Uganda, and Makerere University in particular, and the role they have played in increasing access to and use of information resources.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents DSS at different levels and in different formats. Two major levels are discussed: The first is from international sources through collaborations/partnerships with Makerere University to benefit the Makerere University community; while the second type is within Uganda – from Makerere University to benefit other universities, rural institutions and practitioners/extension workers.FindingsImproved document delivery service has played an important role in resource sharing, which has led to increased access and usage of information resources in UgandaOriginality/valueThe paper is of value to librarians and other practising information professionals as well as library school students who may need to develop document supply services to under‐resourced areas and particularly remote regions.

Resource sharing and document supply in India: INFLIBNET and the experience of JCCC@UGC‐INFONET at the University of Pune

Purpose – This paper aims to describe and evaluate JCCC@UGC‐INFONET and the document supply service at the University of Pune.

Linchpin or weakest link? Challenges to current document delivery practice and services

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to generate discussion on the necessity for document delivery services to re‐position themselves, thus “adding value” within the information chain.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is empirical, based on working practice in a major academic library.FindingsDocument supply is a vital link in the knowledge chain. It is the information professional's responsibility to rise to the challenges outlined above, and to regenerate and rejuvenate services in order to strengthen the infrastructure to support research and scholarship across all disciplines, in the manner most appropriate to them. In so doing, document supply services will become a linchpin in academic and research support rather than the weakest link.Originality/valueThe paper is a synthesis of current practice, outlining current shortcomings, and challenges.

A comparison of academic information portals

In Germany, there are a great number of portals. The academic information portal vascoda covers about 40 individual subject portals in many different fields. A study was conducted in 2007 to find out if and how these portals serve the needs of their target groups. In a first step, researchers were asked about their specific needs and wishes.1 In addition, the contents and search functions of several portals were evaluated. The major findings of this study and previous studies will be presented in this paper. Vascoda is an interdisciplinary academic information portal. It started its services in 2003, and it was first based on meta-search-technology. Since the relaunch in November 2007, new search engine technology (FAST) searches in over 100 million datasets from over 100 databases of different providers. The search engine focuses exclusively on academic and scholarly contents. The German Research Foundation (DFG) initialized the creation of Virtual Libraries (ViFa) in 1998. Since then more than 30 Virtual Libraries were created at the special collections libraries and other institutions. The Virtual Libraries and other subject portals funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research can be accessed through vascoda. In 2008 there are about 40 subject portals for many different subjects from Anglo-American Culture to Veterinary Medicine. The subject portals offer access to all kinds of information from specific databases to library catalogues and from internet resources to electronic journals. Most of the virtual libraries still offer a meta-search of different databases, they include different document supply services and a couple of other services. Typical

Scholarly communication and co‐operation between Korea and Japan: document supply trends and services between KERIS and NII

PurposeThis paper sets out to investigate current trends and services of document supply between KERIS (Korea Education & Research Information Service) in South Korea and NII (The National Institute of Informatics) in Japan.Design/methodology/approachData during 2004 to 2007 were collected comprehensively from reports related to the KERIS‐NII document supply services, including interview results with practitioners in charge of these services. The data collected were analyzed and interpreted.FindingsThe management system of KERIS‐NII document supply was mediated (agent‐dependent) in 2004, but is now unmediated (direct) document supply due to system enhancements that began in April 2007. After the change to the direct system, the numbers of requests have increased and the time from request to provision has decreased. Therefore, the direct system has brought about more efficient cooperation and user services.Originality/valueThe KERIS‐NII document supply service is important, being the first official cooperation network between university libraries in two Northeast Asian nations, South Korea and Japan.

A costing study of the document supply service at a Chinese research library: the case of Wuhan University Library

PurposeThis paper aims to report on a cost study of document supply at Wuhan University Library, and to investigate the difference in costs over time and the cost‐effectiveness for the university.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach is employed.FindingsThe borrowing unit cost and lending unit cost decreased by 27 percent and 60 percent, respectively, between 2002 and 2004, but showed a small increase in 2006.Originality/valueThe paper reveals the cost of document supply in a Chinese research library and proves that the cost could be lowered rapidly by taking effective measures. The paper also demonstrates that document supply is an effective way to resolve the library budgetary crisis as well as satisfying end‐users' needs.

The Effect of Mass Purchase on Document Supply Service at South Korean Medical Libraries

The Effect of Mass Purchase on Document Supply Service at South Korean Medical Libraries

Document supply in Italy: actual models and future perspectives

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to offer a view to non‐Italian librarians on Italian document supply (DS) developments and to submit to Italian DS librarians some points for discussion and some problems to solve.Design/methodology/approachItalian DS is described from the perspective of a large university library's interactions with its users (faculty, undergraduate students and researchers) and its suppliers (Italian and European libraries together with non‐library suppliers). Some characteristics of Italian library systems can be better understood by referring to the historical context; other characteristics reflect the difficulty of considering DS services as a strategic service integrated with other services.FindingsItalian DS services reveal two models of organisation and strategy, the networked and the independent. Four key factors are changing the target population, partners, policies and the role of DS in Italy: university reform, the increasing number of online full text journals available in universities, transdisciplinary research, and the internet.Originality/valueThe article can be used by non‐Italian librarians to obtain information about Italian libraries and their DS services. It gives some useful URLs and some guidance to finding documents via Italian OPACs.

Industrial information programs in Korea: an overview

PurposeThis paper seeks to provide an overview of industrial information programs in Korea and to describe the databases, service contexts, document supply services and issues in the field.Design/methodology/approachPresents the current status, practical issues and vision for the development and access to industrial information programs. Focuses on the external drivers of change and the strategic issues, in particular for industrial information and document supply services.FindingsRecognizes the problem of access, the need for a long‐term strategy and cooperation, an effective document supply service and makes proposals for the future of industrial information programs in Korea.Originality/valueOffers a practical source of information and issues. Advises any organization to design an extensible, collaborative and integrated industrial information program.

The British Library and Document Supply

This paper summarizes the history of the development of the British Library's document supply services, a function for which Dr Maurice Line was responsible as a Director General in the British Library from 1974 to 1988. During its 45–year history, the service has fulfilled over 100 million requests and has responded to over 20,000 customers in 130 countries. While demand has slowed in recent years due to major changes in the way information is disseminated and accessed, in terms of both volume and revenue the British Library remains the world's largest document supplier, and the centralized service remains an invaluable underpin to the UK information infrastructure and retains widespread support from customers and stakeholders, invaluable and essential in terms of sustaining the breadth of access to journal articles. The paper also focuses on the external drivers of change and current developments in the service.

Fee-Based Document Delivery

InfoQuest is a fee-based document delivery and research service provided by Auburn University Libraries to patrons who may or may not be affiliated with a library. InfoQuest operates on a cost recovery basis and opens up the library's collection to the general public. This article presents an overview of InfoQuest's document supply service including statistics and offers insight into the client base.

The impact of e‐resources on document supply in a corporate pharmaceutical library: the experience of Novo Nordisk

PurposeThe paper seeks to describe the information provision issues facing an international pharmaceutical company, in particular in relation to document supply.Design/methodology/approachThe document supply service of a major international pharmaceutical company is described, together with recent service enhancements.FindingsDocument supply has not declined as much as demand for copies for the company's collections. Automation has played a significant role in reducing costs and improving speed, and a number of other improvements are identified.Originality/valueA useful insight into the document supply issues facing a commercial information provision service, especially in the field of copyright.

The use of a digital rights management system for article delivery

This paper describes: (i) the use of digital rights management (DRM) systems in providing a secure electronic document supply service; (ii) the reasons for the use of DRM systems by document suppliers; (iii) the system adopted by the British Library, with reasons for the rejection of some systems; and (iv) some insight into how the chosen system has been received by users.

ILL, a dying breed or a new brand? The experience of Edinburgh University

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to examine the trend of interlibrary loans (ILLs) through the experiences of Edinburgh University Library (EUL). A preliminary study aims to consider how the purchase of one e‐journal package impacted on the number of ILL requests processed.Design/methodology/approachThe article describes the experience of EUL.FindingsThe article finds that total ILLs, both returnables and non‐returnables, rose to a peak in 1998 and have declined significantly since then. Full desk‐top delivery has not yet been achieved, but this is in the forefront of the library's strategy.Originality/valueThe paper gives a detailed insight into the impact of e‐journals and other factors on the use of the document supply service for both returnables and non‐returnables in a large UK university.

The impact of consortia purchasing of periodical publications on the document supply service

PurposeThis paper aims to show the impact of consortia purchased periodical publications on document supply services. These services have undergone considerable changes over the last five years, first decreasing but now recovering.Design/methodology/approachFirst, this paper reviews the most recent specialised literature, focusing mainly on the impact of electronic journals in libraries, their effects, and proposed actions. Second, as an example of this new behaviour, presents the document supply service data, as collected in one hospital's health‐science library in the last four years.FindingsAs evidenced by the literature, the users' acceptance of electronic journals has undoubtedly been excellent. Consortia purchasing projects have become a basic tool that expand collections, support cooperative technological development, and require negotiating skills from librarians. But these mass purchases do not seem to be the ideal solution for libraries, they entail losing freedom when choosing the collection and often make library collections homogeneous by publisher.Originality/valueReflects on what possible causes have led to the current situation and the current way to manage the collection.

Every silver lining has a cloud: a review of The British Library - Providing Services beyond the Reading Rooms

A review of a report from the National Audit Office (NAO)on how effective the British Library has been in promoting its services to remote users. Focus on the document supply service but also comments on the Library's website and its digitisation programme.

Changing patterns in interlibrary loan and document supply

The article looks at a number of possible reasons for the current downturn in the volume of interlibrary loan (ILL) and document supply (DS) requests in the UK higher education (HE) sector. Figures quantifying the demand for these services are examined at the outset by means of a short survey that was circulated to ten HE institutions. The impact of electronic journals on ILL and DS services is scrutinised and proven to be a significant factor. The bibliographic searching behaviour of university researchers is investigated by means of a short questionnaire, and the results of the survey are evaluated. The recent rise in the number of postgraduate students in UK universities is confirmed. The topics of library budgets and the impact of end‐user services are also examined. The article concludes that it is the increase in the number of electronic journal subscriptions that has had the most significant impact on the recent decrease in demand for ILL and DS services in UK academic libraries.

The use of a digital rights management system in a document supply service

Digital rights management (DRM) has had a chequered history. It has been called “the saviour of intellectual property rights” and “completely useless” in protecting digital content. The truth probably lies somewhere in between. The paper describes the use of DRM in providing a secure document supply service, the reasons for implementation of a DRM system by the British Library, the system adopted, with reasons for the rejection of some systems and insight into how the chosen system has been received by users.