Our Libraries
February 19, 2008
Libraries Share Books and Readers Benefit
You go to the library in search of a certain book, DVD or audiobook. Unfortunately, the library doesn’t have the title. You ask the friendly librarian for some help. He consults his computer, and finds that the item you want is not available in the area, but is available at the Peoria Public Library. Your heart sinks. You really wanted this item.
“But wait” says the librarian. “We can borrow it for you!” “Really?” you exclaim in surprise. “Sure,” he says. “Libraries all across the country, and even the world, work together to share their materials. After all, no library is big enough or rich enough to have everything. Would you like me to borrow it for you?” “Yes, please,” you say with a big smile. “That would be great! Is there a charge and will it take very long to get here?” you ask. “Actually, according to the database, the book is on the shelf and could probably be here in two days. As for the charge, some libraries do charge for loaning books and some public libraries have a small fee for borrowing items. In this case, however, there will be no charge.” You walk away amazed. Who knew?
Anecdotal evidence from several places indicates that libraries have shared books since the 1800s. The Madison University Libraries in Hamilton, NY lent books to “gentlemen of reasonable character.” The process has evolved to such an extent that interlibrary loan, as it is called, is standard practice in libraries of all types: academic, public, special and school. There are rules, of course, but I am happy to report that the rules are less onerous than they used to be.
Automation of library records has really speeded up the process. Requests back and forth among libraries used to be on paper and were sent through the U.S. Mail. A later improvement was the teletype. But with the advent of computer databases of library holdings, it’s all pretty quick and seamless.
Users of many libraries can now make their own interlibrary loan requests at home and 24/7. By using the number on your library card, you can get access to the same databases that librarians use. Here in Illinois, thanks to the support of the Illinois State Library and State Librarian (and Secretary of State) Jesse White, all residents have access to a world wide database called “World Cat.” Have a look at it at http://www.worldcat.org/
Another factor enabling the librarian referenced above to promise a book from Peoria in two days is the improvement of the network of van delivery services supporting the sharing of materials. Here in the North Suburban Library System (NSLS), for example, we have four vans that go out every day to libraries in our service area. Our drivers are on the road before 5 a.m. just to make sure you get your materials as quickly as possible. The item from Peoria also took a ride on the delivery “backbone” that connects all of the nine Illinois multitype library systems. The item first came here to the NSLS headquarters, was resorted, and then went out to our fictitious user the next morning.
Last year in NSLS alone, our drivers picked up 2,245,672 items. Not all of them were interlibrary loan materials. In fact, most were books and other items that area residents borrowed themselves from a library and returned to a different library. For the most part, the system works flawlessly.
Who knew this was all possible? To find out more about interlibrary loan and related topics check out our website at www.nsls.info .
Tags
Sign in to tag and add comments.
Welcome, Guest
| 
Facebook
del.icio.us
Sarah Long's weekly column, Our Libraries, is published in the 