From Discovery to Delivery: Successful Systems Integration

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Summer 8-11-2015

Keywords

InterLibrary Loan

Abstract

Demands for information resources are increasing while libraries are facing decreasing budgets and lessening staffing support. Interlibrary loan and consortial services can help libraries expand access to collections. Patron-initiated borrowing systems are a current trend in libraries, but seamlessly integrating them is challenging. This article analyzes problems in patron-initiated consortial resource sharing, introducing a new generation service which combines complex library systems and allows them to work together in real-time availability: the online public access catalog (OPAC), a consortial borrowing system, an interlibrary loan system, an integrated library system, and an authentication system. The service seamlessly integrated a new discovery tool, WorldCat Local, with local, consortial, and worldwide resource sharing systems. Patron requests are automatically transferred from system to system based on the item's availability, maintaining rapid delivery.

Publication Title

Technical Services Quarterly

DOI

10.1080/07317131.2015.1059678

Comments

32(4)

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