International Interlending Research Articles

Reinforcing each other: strategies to advance international interlibrary loan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to share the results of the 2019 international interlending survey conducted by the American Library Association, Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), Sharing and Transforming Access to Resources Section (STARS) International Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Committee, the fourth such survey conducted by this group since 2007. Design/methodology/approach Committee members developed the survey instrument and collected data in Qualtrics. Questions from the 2015 and 2011 instruments were reused to support longitudinal data analysis, and new questions related to improving the sharing of resources across borders were added. The survey was distributed to libraries worldwide via multiple methods, and translations in six of the seven official International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions languages were provided. Findings Results reveal challenges to engaging in global resource sharing in the areas of discovery and request methods, policies and service models, copyright and licensing, delivery and payment. Strategies to overcome these challenges, as informed by both the survey results and recent literature, are shared. Reinforcing each other, these independently and organically developed solutions illustrate ways to further advance ILL. Practical implications The findings can aid ILL practitioners and the organizations to which they belong in improving the sharing of resources across borders. By optimizing this service, libraries can better support researchers in a globalized environment. Originality/value The 2019 RUSA STARS survey is the first survey on the topic of international ILL to offer multiple translations complimenting global distribution. It contributes to the literature by offering a broad and updated perspective on current international ILL practices, challenges impeding the sharing of library materials abroad and possible solutions.

Interlending and document supply: Hopes and fears for 1992

Con la creación en 1992 del Mercado Unico Europeo y la desaparición de muchas barreras ahora existentes, de mercado, de derecho de residencia y trabajo, etc. se abre la oportunidad de mejorar la circulación libre de documentos entre los países a través del préstamo interbibliotecario y las redes de suministro de documentos, pero todavía no hay signos inmediatos de unión monetaria que simplificaría el pago del intercambio internacional, y no parecen de solución inmediata los problemas de telecomunicación y servicios postales con diferentes precios y diferentes normas de servicio, así como los derivados de los derechos de autor. Otras barreras tales como los diferente, idiomas y el rechazo de los profesionales a cooperar internacionalmente no cambiarían con la legislación comunitaria. Aunque 1992 traerá algunas mejoras, todavía hay un largo camino para recorrer.

The world is your library, or the state of international interlibrary loan in 2015

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide preliminary results of the 2015 international interlending survey conducted by the ALA RUSA STARS International Interlibrary Loan Committee and compare these results to those of the survey conducted in 2011. Design/methodology/approach An international survey was developed using Qualtrics to both gather and analyze the results received after the survey was distributed via listservs and personal contacts. Findings The 2015 survey’s results generally showed similarities to those in 2011 with most participants both borrowing and lending materials internationally. The differences between the 2011 and 2015 survey are highlighted as are barriers to international interlending. Originality/value This study illustrates the most recent survey of international interlending practices with comparison to previous studies and will yield potential methods and activities for improving resource sharing globally.

Going global: an international survey of lending and borrowing across borders

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide preliminary results of the 2011 survey on international interlending conducted by the ALA RUSA STARS International Interlibrary Loan Committee.Design/methodology/approachAn international survey was deployed using SurveyMonkey, an online survey tool, and distributed through various electronic resource sharing discussion lists and personal contacts with international libraries.FindingsThe 2011 survey aimed toward international libraries revealed similar results to those of the Committee's 2007 survey of US libraries. Most international interlending participants both borrow and lend materials internationally. Further analysis will be done focusing on barriers to as well as identification of common practices in international interlending.Originality/valueThis research provides the most recent survey of international interlending practices and will yield potential methods and activities for improving resource sharing globally.

Going global: examining issues and seeking collaboration for international interlending, the view from the US

PurposeInternational interlibrary loan remains a persistent and sometimes vexing topic in US libraries. Technology's advance allows libraries and library users to easily identify resources from across the globe. This ease of discovery belies the difficulty of delivery. To contribute to the conversation, the ALA RUSA STARS International Interlibrary Loan Committee conducted a survey of US libraries regarding international interlibrary loan activity. The survey uncovered elements impacting ILL success and failure and identified opportunities for US academic libraries global ILL participation. Issues that concern the survey's participants included communications, copyright, customs, payment methods, shipping, and language barriers. US interlibrary loan librarians seek cooperative responses to these problems. This paper seeks to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachThis paper discusses the current climate of international interlibrary loan from a US perspective and highlights efforts to use STARS survey results to inform international ILL programs and best practices.FindingsTo expand international interlending, STARS can build on today's extra‐OCLC resource sharing strategies and leverage survey results to focus programming and promotional efforts. At the same time, librarians must improve communications and foster international resource sharing communities which contributes to the international dialog essential for interlending success.Originality/valueThe paper presents a new initiative from the major professional association for North American librarians dedicated to resource sharing.

Going global: examining issues and seeking collaboration for international interlending, the view from the US

Going global: examining issues and seeking collaboration for international interlending, the view from the US

Taming the Tasman: international interlending under the Southern Cross

PurposeThis article seeks to provide an update of two papers presented to the VDX Users Group of Australia and New Zealand during 2006. It aims to explore the issues associated with the implementation of Trans Tasman Interlending and its subsequent success, and is written primarily from a technical perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe first part describes the issues addressed, processes used and resolutions adopted in the period leading up to the go‐live of Trans Tasman Interlending. The second part provides a review of the first six months of operation.FindingsTrans Tasman Interlending has produced interesting results and is clearly more significant for interlending in New Zealand than it is Australia. This article looks at a variety of result areas and delves into the issues the linked service has highlighted.Research limitations/implicationsWhile both countries have based their analysis on readily available report data, it is only in the Australian context that a formalised user survey was used. New Zealand reporting relies more on anecdotal evidence.Practical implicationsIn highlighting the issues involved in linking two utilities this article potentially provides a checklist for others to follow and a yardstick against which to measure success.Originality/valueTrans Tasman Interlending is a first for the linking of two national interlending utilities.

Between open access and copyright: document supply in France

PurposeThe article aims to provide an update on the situation of document supply and interlibrary loan in France in the first months of 2005. The main topic is open access to scientific information.Design/methodology/approachDescribes open access, consortial purchasing, national archives, portals, electronic delivery and legal issues. Some evidence is given on the impact of electronic journals on document supply.FindingsIn the France of 2005, the legal environment and the (science, technical and medical) STM lobby continue to strengthen the position of rights‐holders (publishers) and to increase restrictions and prices of access to scientific information, fixing unrealistic copyright fees around a US$30 level.Originality/valueProvides international interlending and document supply (ILDS) practitioners with intelligence on the current developments in interlending and document supply in France.

The IFLA UAP and UBC Programmes: A Lasting Impact on Information Services in the Global Society

The paper describes the development and impact of two of IFLA's core programmes, Universal Bibliographic Control (UBC) and Universal Availability of Publications (UAP). Initiated in the 1970s, both programmes were brought to a close in 2003. UBC was built on the principle that each country was responsible for the identification and description of publications in its own territory, following an international standard for bibliographic description. The programme also played a key role in the development of a universal machine-readable format for the exchange of bibliographic information. UAP articulated the ideal that a publication should be available to anyone, at any time and in any place. To this end it initiated a series of practical activities to enhance access to publications, including the International Interlending Voucher Scheme. The paper considers the administrative and financial structures of the programmes, identifying their strengths and weaknesses. It concludes that both programmes have left a legacy of standards, programmes and publications that will stand the test of time.

Centre stage or just a supporting role? International interlending in the twenty‐first century – a UK perspective

The world is fast becoming a smaller place and the same is true of the document delivery world. Rapid growth in resource discovery tools has led to a breaking down of barriers resulting in the international nature of resource sharing that now exists. Traditional methods of finding, requesting and delivery have radically altered and the “where” of the information object required is no longer of importance. Global availability of information has increased choice and expectation for the end‐user but, conversely, has created a new set of problems for the interlending community. One specific problem area of this global document delivery market is traditional interlending – the loan of returnables. This article considers how UK libraries are attempting to reconcile global demand with the unique problems of this particular area.

Interlending and document supply: international perspectives in a New Zealand context

This paper has been developed from a workshop held at the 2002 LIANZA (Library and Information Association New Zealand Aotearoa) National Conference “Winds of change: libraries in the twenty‐first century”. The authors attended the 7th International Interlending and Document Supply Conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia, 1‐5 October 2001, where digital topics dominated and several strong themes emerged: the systems needed to find and request document supply (DS); obstacles to finding the items patrons want; the narrowing or widening of access; legal barriers to inter‐library loans (ILL)/DS access; alternatives to ILL/DS for patrons; then finally, the electronic delivery of documents to libraries and to patrons.

From traditional inter‐library loan to a new interlending model – the role of the CURL monograph interlending pilot

The traditional inter‐library loan of monographs is often seen as the future niche of interlending activity, with journal article supply being catered for by other means, such as full text access through e‐journals. Examines how a monograph interlending pilot project, undertaken by CURL institutions, is part of a move towards a more distributed interlending model for the UK. Describes the project, presents statistical figures, and outlines results from feedback questionnaires. Shows the relationship to SHARES, RLG’s interlending program, and how the pilot has affected international interlending. Calls for other models to support the new interlending paradigm.

Current trends in interlending and document delivery in the UK

Examines the current state of interlending and document delivery from a UK perspective. In particular, focuses on four trends that have recently gained momentum and come to the fore – international interlending, resource discovery, online access to full text and the problem of monographs, and unmediated requesting. Reports on developments in these areas and the way one area will influence another. Document delivery is widening in scope and meshing with serials and acquisitions in an electronic environment, while traditional ILL is focusing on more problematical areas. Also looks at how the activities of the British Library are shaping events.

The changing nature of international resource sharing: risks and benefits of collaboration

Discusses the context for international interlending in historical terms, and the Research Libraries Group’s SHARES programme. Characterizes the current state of international interlending and provides some thoughts on the prospects, barriers, risks and benefits of international interlending. Reports on a survey conducted by RLG and closes with suggestions on the best way to become collaborative opportunists.

Why does Finland make so many international ILDS requests?

Reports on a study initiated by the Finnish Council for Information Provision (TINFO) in order to find out why, as was shown in a European‐wide survey of interlending and document supply, Finland makes so many international interlending requests. Several methods were used to throw light on the situation. In order to find out if foreign suppliers were preferred to domestic suppliers librarians were interviewed about current practices and procedures and data from international request forms were compared to the union catalogue. International request forms were analysed in order to draw a picture of the material needed from abroad and to reveal potential gaps in the national collection. Suggests that national characteristics of users’ needs for library material should be taken into consideration when planning national information provision. A citation analysis based on references from dissertations was carried out with the aim of detecting such characteristics.

Interlending in New Environments

The change to a market economy in the USSR is having a great effect upon the work of libraries including a decrease in requests through the interlending system though requests in some areas, especially on political, legal, juridical, and economic problems, are up. The lack of hard currency has made it difficult to purchase foreign documents; only roughly one third of these requests are filled. The Lenin State Library is working on its own model of an Interlending Centre to take advantage of new technology and to establish new economic methods. It is also hoped that the unified check system proposed by G. Cornish will simplify payment for international interlending. Effective interlending is hindered by the lack of union catalogs in print or in machine-readable formats. It is also necessary to have a better idea of foreign libraries' interest for Soviet publications, to provide information about resources on these topics, and to support the resulting increased interlending. Finally, efforts should be made to raise the level of knowledge for interlending staff in Soviet libraries.

The Philosophy Behind International Interlending and Its Implications for the Visually-Handicapped

Argues that the visually impaired should be able to benefit from international interlending. Considers some of the problem areas including difficulties with transmitting documents, need for formal systems, customs, copyright and incompatible formats. Concludes that an international network needs to be established in particular for the visually impaired.

International Interlending of Special Format Materials for Use by Disabled Persons

International Interlending of Special Format Materials for Use by Disabled Persons

ILDS in the South Pacific

This paper will discuss the role of the University of the South Pacific Library USPL in interlending and document supply in the South Pacific region since the Library was established in 1968. Since this time, it has endeavoured to coordinate, keep, and maintain statistics on national, regional, and international interlending and document supply activites for both outgoing and incoming requests such that for the first time interloan statistics are provided. In the bibliographical and documentation areas, USPL has, since the establishment of the Pacific Information Centre PIC in 1982, continued to reduce on a regular basis important location tools vital to the success of any interlending in document supply system. In addition, the USPs databases, PASIFIKA and MOANA, coupled with the new technologies have improved their efficiency in the area of timely access to information, documents, and bibliographical information.

International Interlending and Document Supply:

This paper attempts to review the literature of international interlending and document supply as it applies to the situations in Africa. Guidelines for international interlending and the basic criteria for an effective interlending system are discussed. Various barriers to international interlending in Africa such as inadequate library collections, lack of coordination of resources, poor communications network, poor bibliographic organizations, inadequate funding for libraries and lack of library manpower are also analyzed. The writer concludes that African countries are becoming aware of the seriousness of these problems and are therefore making efforts to solve them. As the situations improves, more promising results will be forthcoming.