The Marching of Time

The Marching of Time

Where has this year gone? I cannot believe that we are hurtling towards the end of 2014 at what seems like break-neck speed. Those of us in academic libraries are madly preparing for the arrival of this year’s cohort, all eager and excited at the start of a new phase in their lives, and also for those returning either to continue education or complete after long months of toil. And we in Interlibrary loans are gearing up to assist in the welcome process, giving library tours and promoting all that our library has to offer.

 

So we also have to think creatively about our Interlibrary loan service here and what we can offer. We have noticed over the last few years a decline in the numbers of requests and have concluded that, in part, this has to do with making improvements in other library facilities like wider availability of online resources. We have seen that our readers want immediate access to what they want, or possibly want it yesterday in some cases, so we in Interlibrary loans have to promote a service that is specialist but also efficient (if we can).

Thankfully the wider world of ILL is littered with others who think like us, trying to give a great service. The wonder of systems like SED (Secure Electronic Delivery)and article exchange means that articles can go from desktop to desktop, sometimes in only a matter of hours, allowing the reader to seamlessly continue with their research, even if the article they wanted was only available across the ‘pond’ so to speak. (Pardon the split infinitive but I am no purist – I can’ boldly go’ with the best of them!)  

The marching of time and the changing face of libraries and librarianship brings its own challenges for all of us in the world of Inter-lending (Plug for FIL coming up) so this is where The Forum for Inter-lending, an organisation for Inter-lending and document supply personnel, can really be helpful by disseminating up to date information and news on current opinion, discussion and by promoting the world of Inter-lending both nationally and internationally.

So where do we march next? Well there is the up and coming FIL event at the BLDSS at the end of November and of course the annual FIL conference which next year will take place in Manchester, so lots to look forward to and plan for.

Also looking forward to seeing lots of you at these events – you won’t be disappointed!