The Inter-Library Loan Thread

[Gordon Smith]

Why did it take eighteen months for the Edmonton Public Library to process an inter-library loan? I ordered a book (a fairly obscure United States Army publication on military justice available in several academic libraries) in July of 2007. I eventually got tired of waiting for the book to arrive, so I went on-line and hunted down a copy. That copy arrived less than a month after I ordered it. With my own copy in hand, I forgot about the request, assuming the library had abandoned all efforts to acquire it. After a year had passed, my request expired automatically. Well, yesterday I received a call from the library which is just down the street from my house. It seems they eventually processed my request even though it had now lapsed. So here I have this book in my hands nearly two years after I asked for it, and now I have no need for it. There's irony in here, somewhere.

[Puma]

Why did it take eighteen months for the Edmonton Public Library to process an inter-library loan? I ordered a book (a fairly obscure United States Army publication on military justice available in several academic libraries) in July of 2007. I eventually got tired of waiting for the book to arrive, so I went on-line and hunted down a copy. That copy arrived less than a month after I ordered it. With my own copy in hand, I forgot about the request, assuming the library had abandoned all efforts to acquire it. After a year had passed, my request expired automatically. Well, yesterday I received a call from the library which is just down the street from my house. It seems they eventually processed my request even though it had now lapsed. So here I have this book in my hands nearly two years after I asked for it, and now I have no need for it. There's irony in here, somewhere.

You're assuming that all libraries lend to all other libraries. They don't. Also, many libraries will lend some items but not all that are in their collections; especially if it is a rare, out of print, hard to replace if the ILL goes wrong, item. That your library would keep trying after eighteen months is, IMHO, evidence of their dedication in trying to fill your request.

[Gordon Smith]

You're assuming that all libraries lend to all other libraries. They don't. Also, many libraries will lend some items but not all that are in their collections; especially if it is a rare, out of print, hard to replace if the ILL goes wrong, item. That your library would keep trying after eighteen months is, IMHO, evidence of their dedication in trying to fill your request.

Oh, I know that all libraries don't lend to other libraries. I'm aware of that. I won't ask for a book via inter-library loan unless I know what library carries the item and whether or not the item is available for loaning. I informed the EPL of these relevant details (locations of book, loan-out policies and so forth) when I placed my request in the hopes of speeding the process up.

[Puma]

Oh, I know that all libraries don't lend to other libraries. I'm aware of that. I won't ask for a book via inter-library loan unless I know what library carries the item and whether or not the item is available for loaning. I informed the EPL of these relevant details (locations of book, loan-out policies and so forth) when I placed my request in the hopes of speeding the process up.

Interesting.

[Slam_Bradley]

My library is very good about getting me books through ILL. I use the service quite a bit because my reading tastes are far afield of what my small-town Idaho library usually carries. I've only had two issues that I know of, one book they couldn't get and one time they got the wrong book (both by Jasper Fforde, interestingly enough). It's gotten to the point that a couple of the ladies ask me if I'm in for an ILL when I come in the library.

[Gordon Smith]

My library is very good about getting me books through ILL. I use the service quite a bit because my reading tastes are far afield of what my small-town Idaho library usually carries. I've only had two issues that I know of, one book they couldn't get and one time they got the wrong book (both by Jasper Fforde, interestingly enough). It's gotten to the point that a couple of the ladies ask me if I'm in for an ILL when I come in the library.

I used inter-library loans a great deal when I lived in a small-town back east where the local universities had relatively small holdings. Once I moved to Edmonton where I gained access to a major academic library, I didn't need to use inter-library loans as much.

[Puma]

Unfortunately, due to budget cuts my library system (my employer) has suspended ILL. The cost is quite high, when staff time is factored in, and folks were using it to get movie dvds (we ended up getting a netflix account) and pulp paperbacks so its on hiatus. Most patrons are understanding.

[Generic Eric]

I used my libraries' interlibrary loan for two forensic art books that would of cost a hundred bucks each if I had to buy them myself. It only took them 2 weeks for the first one and a month for the second. This serivce is going well so far. For obscure movies It's easier to get a netflix acount to scratch that itch.

[Slam_Bradley]

Unfortunately, due to budget cuts my library system (my employer) has suspended ILL. The cost is quite high, when staff time is factored in, and folks were using it to get movie dvds (we ended up getting a netflix account) and pulp paperbacks so its on hiatus. Most patrons are understanding.

Our library won't bring anything but books in. No DVDs, CDs, etc. I can see where pulp paperbacks could be a problem since they're such quick reads.

[Puma]

Our library won't bring anything but books in. No DVDs, CDs, etc. I can see where pulp paperbacks could be a problem since they're such quick reads.

Quick reads and limited publishing periods. They're akin to the straight to video film. Not that many libraries purchase them to begin with so we spend a good deal of time searching, then shipping is generally more than the book is worth. We have, in the past, just purchased the title from amazon marketplace if they're under $5, do a bare bones catalog job on 'em, slap a pocket, spine label, and barcode, and add them to the collection because it is cheaper than ILL.

[K'Nort]

Quick reads and limited publishing periods.

Plus a really high risk of falling apart, which we then have to pay for.


I still end up ILL'ing a remarkable number of films (and tv episodes) because they're still not released on DVD.

The Portland OR library system stopped accepting ILLs of comics (in trade form, obviously) while I was still living there. Just way too many of them were never returned. Hardcover archive editions would still usually sneak through, however.