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Return to Issues Index | Return to Table of Contents
July/August 1997THE INVISIBLE UNITInterlibrary Loan at times is the invisible unit in any library. Not many people know that they have an option when a library doesn't own the particular journal or book they need. Yet, the function of Interlibrary Loan is invaluable when crucial information is needed for a grant proposal, clinical research or even a student paper.The chief purpose of Interlibrary Loan is to fill the "gaps" of the library's collection. Maintaining a journal collection isn't easy in light of shrinking journal budgets and escalating costs in journal subscriptions. Interlibrary Loan steps in to supply the UAB faculty, staff and students with articles and/or books we are unable to supply within the confines of our collection. Typically, an average of 200+ requests are received monthly. Requests for articles are ransmitted electronically through a library network of preselected suppliers. This list of suppliers is a regional and/or state network composed of health science libraries in the southeastern half of the United States and academic libraries within the state of Alabama. Occasionally, the search has to be expanded outside the confines of the obligatory existing networks. Once a request has been ordered, the turnaround time is approximately seven to ten working days (in ILL this is Monday through Friday). Generally, the US mail is the chosen method of delivery. Approximately 80% of articles and/or books ordered through ILL are received through the mail. Interlibrary Loan also struggles with the "instant gratification factor." In filling a need, it is often crucial that we get the information in the patron's hands as quickly as possible. Perhaps, the biggest improvement in the document delivery business is the electronic request form. This helped in getting the actual request into the hands of the potential lender quickly. The fax machine is also a boon in the Interlibrary Loan business. Nevertheless, with an average of 200+ requests received a month, articles are received via fax only in cases where the article is needed sooner than the projected turnaround time. Other technology currently being used in limited areas is scanning the article and sending it over the Internet. Ideally, Interlibrary Loan would like to use "snap of the finger" technology;
i.e., receiving the article instantaneously upon transmitting the request.
This is the goal to strive for in the future.
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| Please note that this is a newsletter. The information and links in individual articles are current as of the date of publication, but they are not kept up-to-date thereafter. |
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