Exploring Interlibrary Loan Usage Patterns And Liaison Activities: The Experience At A Us university

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore actual interlibrary loan (ILL) usage patterns as a way to improve ILL services and assist in library liaison work. Design/methodology/approach - The study assesses ILL services at a mid-size comprehensive college library in order to see who is utilizing the current service. Usage patterns are constructed and explored based on data collected over a three-year period. The requested materials' publication date and Library of Congress subject heading, as well as the requestor's academic status (faculty, graduate student, undergraduate student) and department are addressed. Findings - Usage patterns can accurately illustrate trends in the borrowing behavior of patrons in order to gain a better understanding of their needs. The majority of users were faculty members from a limited number of academic departments. Usage patterns can be very helpful in constructing and focusing liaison work. A thorough study of ILL usage patterns is a viable undertaking worthwhile for any institution looking to improve and expand its ILL and liaison services. Practical implications - This paper recommends that The College of Staten Island Library utilize ILL statistics to improve and redesign Liaison activities to under-represented departments. Assessing ILL usage patterns can enable a quick and accurate overview of actual use for improving ILL and liaison services. Originality/value - Previous research has linked Interlibrary Loan services to collection development. The current study links the assessment of actual ILL usage patterns with liaison activities beyond collection development.