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Beyond the photocopy machine: document delivery in a hybrid library environment

Ronald Dekker (Ronald Dekker is Head of ICT at Delft University of Technology Library, Delft, The Netherlands.)
Leo Waaijers (Leo Waaijers is University Librarian at Delft University of Technology Library, Delft, The Netherlands.)

Interlending & Document Supply

ISSN: 0264-1615

Article publication date: 1 June 2001

720

Abstract

Document delivery bridges the gap between where the customer is and where the document is. Libraries have to offer user‐friendly access to hybrid collections, and design and implement document delivery mechanisms from paper originals to provide a seamless integration between delivery from electronic and paper articles. Apart from improved service, a document delivery service provider could benefit internally from rationalising and automating the logistics of the delivery process. This article analyses the document delivery process, starting by defining five requirements for document delivery. By looking at document delivery from both the customer’s and the organisation’s perspective, the real needs of the customer are defined. From a basic distinction between the “search and find” function and the “order and receive” functions, the internal logistics of document delivery are analysed. The DocUTrans document delivery concept and system as used in Delft show how its implementation improves the whole system. The analysis itself can be highly beneficial.

Keywords

Citation

Dekker, R. and Waaijers, L. (2001), "Beyond the photocopy machine: document delivery in a hybrid library environment", Interlending & Document Supply, Vol. 29 No. 2, pp. 69-75. https://doi.org/10.1108/02641610110386056

Publisher

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MCB UP Ltd

Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited

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