Allison Gianelloni & Joshua PriestleyLIS 7013Dr. Tao Jin

Introduction

• The library is a “melting pot” of bibliographic works.

• You can find material specific to different races, cultures, religions, types of entertainment, and research/professional topics.

• Material is always “on-demand”.

• What happens when a branch doesn’t have material on site?

History

• Joseph Cummings Rowell

– University Librarian at the University of California at Berkeley

– Initiated the Interlibrary Loan Process in the United States

– Granted permission to begin the process in 1894

– Early process involved sending and receiving requests through the mail

EBRPL ILL Pre-requisites

• Patron must be a resident of East Baton Rouge Parish.

• Patron must have an East Baton Rouge Parish library card.

• Requested material cannot be onsite.

EBRPL ILL Request Types

• Books– Required Information:

• patron’ s name, library card number, address, and a daytime telephone number.

• Articles– Required Information:

• the author’s name, article title, journal or magazine title, year of publication, pick-up location, patron’s name, patron’s library card number, patron’s address, patron’s daytime phone number, today’s date, and the maximum amount the patron is willing to pay

Current Process

• Patron submits request to EBRPL via Internet– A patron can also submit a request via library staff.

• Library verifies request

• If request is eligible, a database with items from libraries a part of an online consortium is searched for items

• If found, EBRPL receives requested material from lending library

• Patron retrieves material from library

Current Process

• Material usually arrives within two weeks

• If material cannot be located by the patron’s requested date

– The search for the material will be stopped

– Patron will be notified

EBRPL ILL Restrictions

• Patron can submit up to eight “in-process” requests at a time– “in-process” – item not returned (books); item not

collected by patron (articles)

• Entire issues of a periodical, genealogical items, current-year items, reference books, course textbooks, un-microfilmed newspapers, bulky/fragile items, and rare/valuable items cannot be requested

EBRPL ILL Restrictions

• Renewals

– Items with “No Renewal” status cannot be renewed

– Items can only be renewed once

– If renewal is approved, three weeks are added to the original due date

LoanSHARK

• The EBRPL primarily shares resources using LoanSHARK

• LoanSHARK is a Louisiana public and academic library consortium

Online Computer Library Center

• The EBRPL may also share resources via the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC)

• OCLC is a global system

• Library staff searches for information via WorldShare

– WorldShare is the software platform

LoanSHARK vs. OCLC

• LoanSHARK– Advantages

• Lower costs• Faster fulfillment

– Disadvantages• Limited to local (Louisiana) libraries

• OCLC– Advantages

• Access to material from libraries around the world

– Disadvantages• Increased costs• Potential technology issues due to software incompatibility

Problems

• EBRPL staff believes some costs should be deferred to patron

– Some patrons make frivolous requests

– EBRPL pays costs for shipping from lending library and patron may not get the material from the library

• EBRPL is short-staffed

• When using the OCLC to submit requests, WorldShare requires more staff effort and is less automated

Conclusion

• The Interlibrary Loan process at EBRPL allows patrons from East Baton Rouge Parish to have access to material not found at an EBRPL branch

• System requires cooperation from patron, EBRPL, and the lending institution to be successful