You're Only as Good as Your Customs Holdings: Optimizing Interlibrary Loan Borrowing

Abstract

Faster shipping, cheaper fees, and longer loan periods are the buzzwords when it comes to interlibrary borrowing, but how do you effectively gather data to identify lending libraries that meet these factors? One way is to take advantage of customization and automations in WorldShare ILL to leverage smart lender strings in combination with partner libraries. Information from lending libraries is available in the policies directory, however, sometimes other factors, such as shipping times, impact turnaround time. Reviewing real data periodically helps to identify misconceptions around which libraries meet that criteria. Two large academic libraries will show how they have effectively optimized their customs holdings and how you can replicate the process in order to meet these goals as applicable to your local environment. Graphs of turnaround times, maps, and screenshots showing customizations and workflows will demonstrate to the audience how easy it is to implement changes in their library setting and the positive impact these changes have on patron satisfaction as well as the reduction of staff time.