Interlibrary Loans: International Reach And Access

Interlibrary loans, also known as document delivery or inter-lending, is a service that allows patrons of one library to borrow materials from another library. The history of interlibrary loans dates back to the 8th century in Western Europe, with formalized policies being established in China as early as 1924. Today, interlibrary loans are a global phenomenon, with the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) guiding interlibrary loan policies internationally and encouraging libraries to participate in international interlibrary loan activities. When seeking a loan from a library outside the United States, libraries are advised to follow the guidelines set forth by the IFLA in their publication, International Resource Sharing and Document Delivery: Principles and Guidelines for Procedure. With the advent of the global internet revolution, there has been a push to rethink how libraries conduct resource sharing, including interlibrary loans, to better adapt to changing user expectations and facilitate international collaboration.

International interlibrary loan history

The history of international interlibrary loans can be traced back to the 8th century CE in Western Europe, with informal borrowing and lending practices between libraries. In the 16th century, Nicolas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc made an unsuccessful attempt to establish an interlibrary loan system between the Royal Library of France at the Louvre Palace in Paris and the Vatican Library in Rome.

In 1876, Massachusetts librarian Samuel Swett Green published a proposal for an interlibrary loan system modelled on European examples, recognising the potential benefits of resource sharing between libraries. Formalised interlibrary loan policies were established in China as early as 1924 through the Shanghai Library Constitution. The period following the First World War saw an increase in international lending and borrowing between libraries, leading to the establishment of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) in 1927.

IFLA has played a pivotal role in guiding interlibrary loan policies internationally. In 1954, they published the "International Resource Sharing and Document Delivery: Principles and Guidelines for Procedure". This publication set a significant precedent for international interlibrary loan practices.

The development of interlibrary loan systems has been marked by both advancements and challenges. The creation of organisations like the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) and initiatives such as RapidILL have contributed to the improvement of resource sharing and loan processes. RapidILL, developed at Colorado State University, offers centralised and streamlined resource request and delivery, significantly reducing turnaround times.

However, international interlibrary loans continue to face obstacles, including financial constraints, language barriers, lack of uniform procedures, imperfect interoperability systems, shipping issues, and copyright concerns. These challenges vary across countries and regions, with developing countries often having informal and disorganised ILL procedures. Despite these hurdles, the global push for resource sharing and collaboration among libraries remains a driving force for the evolution of international interlibrary loan systems.

International interlibrary loan guidelines

Interlibrary loans, or ILL, are a service that allows patrons of one library to borrow materials from another library. This process typically involves a library requesting material from or supplying material to another library. Libraries can choose what materials from their collections are available for interlibrary loans and can negotiate for ILL eligibility.

International interlibrary loans allow patrons to access materials from libraries outside of their country. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) guides interlibrary loan policies internationally and has published guidelines for international interlibrary loans. The IFLA's "International Resource Sharing and Document Delivery: Principles and Guidelines for Procedure" was published in 1954 and outlines the process for international interlibrary loans. When seeking a loan from an international library, follow the guidelines set forth by the IFLA.

Libraries typically transmit requests electronically through OCLC, DOCLINE, or other networks. If electronic means are unavailable, the American Library Association (ALA) Interlibrary Loan Request Form can be used. The ALA encourages libraries to participate in international interlibrary loan activities.

In addition to the IFLA guidelines, there are other resources that provide guidance on interlibrary loan operations management. The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the ALA, has developed guidelines for interlibrary loan operations management. The Sharing and Transforming Access to Resources Section (STARS) of the RUSA prepared a PDF document that was approved in 2012.

The Rethinking Resource Sharing Initiative is another group that advocates for rethinking the way libraries conduct resource sharing in the context of the global internet revolution. This includes considering the developments and changes that have arisen from increased internet usage.

Examples of International Interlibrary Loan Systems

There are several examples of international interlibrary loan systems in place around the world. The National Diet Library of Japan serves as a resource-sharing hub for Japanese-language materials domestically and internationally. The China Academic Library and Information System (CALIS) is a Beijing-based consortium that facilitates interlibrary loans among research libraries in China. RapidILL is a resource-sharing solution that includes over 300 member libraries internationally, with most located in the United States.

Interlibrary loan request process

Interlibrary loans are a service that allows patrons to access materials that are not available in their local library. This service is provided by many libraries across the United States and internationally.

The request process for an interlibrary loan typically involves the following steps:

• Check for eligibility: Not all libraries offer interlibrary loan services, so it is important to verify if your local library provides this service. Some libraries may have specific requirements for patrons to be eligible for interlibrary loan requests, such as proof of residency or a valid library account.
• Submit a request: Once you have confirmed that your library offers interlibrary loan services, you can submit a request for the desired material. Requests can usually be made electronically through online platforms such as OCLC, DOCLINE, or the library's local system. If electronic means are unavailable, a printable or fillable PDF request form can often be used and submitted via fax or mail.
• Locate the material: After receiving your request, library staff will contact other libraries to locate the requested material and determine its availability for loan. This process may take some time, and there is no guarantee that the lending library will approve the loan.
• Receive the material: If the request is approved, the lending library will send the material to your local library. You will then be notified when the item is available for pickup or delivery. The loan period for books is typically around 30 days, including travel time, and renewals may be requested if needed.
• Return the material: It is important to return borrowed materials on time to maintain your borrowing privileges. Interlibrary loan items should be returned to the library that processed your request. Any lost or damaged items may be billed to the patron, as determined by the lending library.

It is worth noting that some materials may have restrictions on lending, such as electronic materials or rare books, and international interlibrary loans may have additional guidelines to follow. Additionally, libraries may have limits on the number of requests and items that can be made at one time.

Interlibrary loan fees

Interlibrary loans, or ILL, are a service that enables patrons of one library to borrow materials that are held by another library. Interlibrary loans can be labour-intensive, making them one of the more expensive services offered by libraries. As a result, interlibrary loan fees are sometimes required by lending libraries.

The fees that accompany interlibrary loan services are usually determined by the lending library, which can define what materials from their holdings are eligible for interlibrary loans. Fees are more likely to be charged for materials that require special handling, such as magazines, audiovisual material, videotapes, or records. Patrons may also be charged for copying costs if they request a particular article from a book and the lending library cannot send the entire book. Out-of-state or private libraries may also charge a fee to lend books through interlibrary loans, and patrons may be charged for returning interlibrary loan materials late.

Some libraries offer free interlibrary loan services to other libraries, particularly public libraries, which do not charge interlibrary loan fees. The OCLC Interlibrary Loan Cost Calculator is a free tool that allows library administrators to learn about average ILL lending and borrowing costs and to evaluate their own interlending unit costs. The Interlibrary Loan Fee Management (IFM) feature is another tool that helps libraries save money on fee-based transactions and simplify the transaction process.

For international libraries, fees may be charged for interlibrary loans. For example, one library charges 24 USD for book loans or 16 USD for article scans up to 25 exposures. This library also accepts IFLA vouchers: the cost is 3 full IFLA vouchers per book and 2 full IFLA vouchers per article.

Interlibrary loan restrictions

Interlibrary loans (ILL) are a service that allows patrons of one library to borrow materials from another library. While ILLs are common, there are some restrictions to the service.

Firstly, there is no international interlibrary loan system, and while most developed countries have formal interlibrary loan guidelines, developing countries may have informal and disorganized ILL procedures. This inconsistency in procedures can cause confusion and hinder the efficiency of the service. Additionally, the absence of consistent international copyright guidelines can create issues, with some countries paying copyright fees for borrowed items and others paying copyright fees for loaned items. This discrepancy can result in unpaid copyright royalties, which may irritate publishers and lead to legal repercussions. Furthermore, language barriers can impede the process, as staff members may struggle to locate items in unfamiliar languages or with unfamiliar character sets.

Some libraries may also restrict the types of materials that are eligible for interlibrary loans. For example, journal or database licenses may specify whether a library can supply journal articles via ILL, and libraries have the autonomy to define which materials from their holdings are available for loan. Additionally, some libraries may not accept international requests or may only lend portions of their collections.

It is worth noting that individual libraries may have their own specific restrictions. For example, the College of Staten Island Library limits borrowers to 25 transactions in process at any one time, including pending requests, received requests, and items being returned. This ensures that other patrons' requests are processed in a timely manner.

While interlibrary loans are a valuable service, they are not without their limitations. These restrictions can vary depending on the country, library, and specific circumstances of the request.

Frequently asked questions