Describes ways that the Denver Public Library's interlibrary loan department has adapted electronic-messaging technology to improve interlibrary loan services. Patron-initiated requesting, via e-mail or OCLC's order option, is discussed; the role of the OPAC is explained; and implementation and staff training is described. (LRW)

Describes presentations made at a forum on automation, interlibrary loan (ILL), and document delivery sponsored by the Houston Area Library Consortium. Highlights include access versus ownership; software for ILL; fee-based services; automated management systems for ILL; and electronic mail and online systems for end-user-generated ILL requests.…

Reports on the American Library Association (ALA) 1992 Annual Conference. Highlights include awards given; libraries' futures; bibliographic instruction; NREN (National Research and Education Network); telecommunications; lack of status in librarianship; proposed guidelines for patron behavior; interlibrary loan; the Americans with Disabilities…

This report examines the present fiscal condition and changing nature of the system of public libraries in Massachusetts. Despite the impact of budget cuts on operating hours and staffing, the demand for library services has increased concomitantly with the information needs of individuals, professionals, and businesses. Many of the municipal…

This new column describes Internet and provides a guide to its resources for new users. The hierarchical organization of Internet is explained; library applications including cataloging, bibliographic instruction, government documents, interlibrary loan, reference, and serials are described; access to Internet is explained; common problems are…

Three brief articles examine common beliefs which detract from the issue of national standards for library service; present suggestions for small library management; and describe the small Library Development Center at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. (CDD)

Although Spanish interlibrary loans (ILL) have increased from 100 to 525 per 100,000 inhabitants, there are still many problems to resolve. Examines a plan developed by the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) Library Network to improve ILL services. Provides a comparative analysis of ILL services from 1992-1995. Includes charts…

Discussion of resource sharing and interlibrary loans in Illinois libraries focuses on patron-initiated interlibrary loans. The implementation of a patron-initiated service in the Lincoln Trail Libraries System Automation Consortium is described; results are discussed; and a shift in lending and borrowing patterns is examined. (LRW)

Describes the implementation of a user-centered document delivery system at Colorado State University. Evaluates the system via a statistical compilation of system usage and a telephone survey of the service's users. Results indicate that the system usually provided fast delivery at acceptable costs, but fell short as a substitution for mediated…

Discusses the goals of library networks in terms of sharing scarce resources and improving user access to information, and advocates cooperative library planning to enhance these goals, including interlibrary activities and multitype library systems. (CLB)

Describes a project at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas that evaluated the effects of an unmediated document delivery service. Discusses interlibrary loans, staffing, user satisfaction, choice of document supplier, and user training; and suggests questions to consider when deciding whether to offer this service. (LRW)

Discusses the outcomes of the United States Conference on Fair Use (CONFU) intended to bring together copyright owners and users to develop fair use guidelines. Describes efforts of the six CONFU working groups: digital images, distance learning, educational multimedia, library use of computer software, electronic reserve systems, and interlibrary…

Describes remote access to the Norwich University (Vermont) online library catalog. Promotion of this service and impact on library attendance, circulation, and interlibrary loan are addressed. Sample screen displays and tables presenting attendance and circulation statistics are included. (five references) (MES)

In November 1988 the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) mailed a survey to 59 of its university library members asking about their fee-based services and the impact of these services on other library development efforts. Overall, 79% of the respondents have fee-based services. In some cases, fees are applied to all users regardless of their…

Summarizes the effects OhioLINK, a networked patron self-initiated interlibrary borrowing system, has had on the traditional interlibrary loan (ILL) department at Miami University (OH). Finds Miami's lending to 11 other schools decreased 13% and filled photocopy requests increased 17% while Miami's borrowing increased less than 2%, filled loan…