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Interlibrary
Loan Service Expands
Starting this week, the Library launched several improvements to its interlibrary loan (ILL) services, including a more accessible pick-up site for borrowed materials. When the campus's libraries do not own a publication, the Interlibrary Loan unit of the Resource Access Department borrows copies on the user's behalf. Earlier this year, an online electronic form was introduced for making such borrowing requests and on Monday it replaced paper forms. The electronic form facilitates requests, as it simplifies the process for both library users and library staff. Library staff expect that turn-around time will be reduced, and users can submit their requests 24 hours a day. (See ILL, under Library Services, on the Library Web site (www.library.umass.edu) for more information or call ILL at 5-0553.) According to Anne Moore, Resource Access librarian, the majority of requests now come in electronically. "The online form enables us to give better service to our users. Rather than writing in your name and address for each request, with the electronic form you can enter your personal information just once for multiple requests." Because of the success of the electronic form, Interlibrary Loan is phasing out the use of the paper forms with the exception of those requests that require alphabets not accommodated on a standard keyboard. Users who do not have access to a computer, or would like help using the Web form, may come to the Interlibrary Loan Office for assistance. A second change in ILL service will be the relocation of the pick-up site for borrowed materials. Starting next week, users will pick up their materials at the charge desk in the Entrance Lobby of the Du Bois Library, rather than at the Interlibrary Loan Office on the Main Floor. The charge desk is open whenever the building is open, so access to materials will be increased. Users must always bring their UCard with them when picking up their ILL materials. Just underway is an enhanced borrowing service in cooperation with UMass Worcester. ILL has arranged for an expedited service from the Worcester campus. The speedy delivery is made possible through the use of electronic transmission. Another service change affects the access to dissertations from other institutions. While users may still request to borrow dissertations from other institutions via ILL, some institutions do not loan their dissertations. Previously ILL mediated the purchase of such dissertations that were unavailable for loan. Now users will have to purchase these dissertations directly through Bell & Howell Information and Learning (formerly know as UMI) at (800) 521-0600 or via their Web site (wwwlib.umi.com/dxweb/gateway). Using this direct purchase option will speed receipt of these materials and eliminate the need for users to come to the ILL Office to place an order. According to Moore, these changes are among the first wave of ILL service improvements, which, together, are intended to improve access to materials for library users. These changes will also allow ILL staff to focus on other tasks, such as locating hard-to-find materials and planning for the implementation of still other services. |
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