Who uses the interlibrary loan and document delivery service and what do they request? A case study at the University of Western Australia

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a review of interlibrary loan and document delivery activity by academics and postgraduate students in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences at the University of Western Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analysed statistical data and requests made over a one‐year period.

Findings

The analysis identified who used the service and for what purpose. Although there was a decline in the use of the service overall, there was an increase in activity in the Faculty of Arts. Many of the items requested via interlibrary loan fitted within the scope of the Library collection.

Originality/value

The paper provides evidence that monographs remain integral to scholars in the arts and that this type of analysis can contribute to effective collection development.

Citation

Benn, J. (2009), "Who uses the interlibrary loan and document delivery service and what do they request? A case study at the University of Western Australia", Interlending & Document Supply, Vol. 37 No. 1, pp. 41-45. https://doi.org/10.1108/02641610910938613