Going global: examining issues and seeking collaboration for international interlending, the view from the US

Abstract

Purpose

International interlibrary loan remains a persistent and sometimes vexing topic in US libraries. Technology's advance allows libraries and library users to easily identify resources from across the globe. This ease of discovery belies the difficulty of delivery. To contribute to the conversation, the ALA RUSA STARS International Interlibrary Loan Committee conducted a survey of US libraries regarding international interlibrary loan activity. The survey uncovered elements impacting ILL success and failure and identified opportunities for US academic libraries global ILL participation. Issues that concern the survey's participants included communications, copyright, customs, payment methods, shipping, and language barriers. US interlibrary loan librarians seek cooperative responses to these problems. This paper seeks to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the current climate of international interlibrary loan from a US perspective and highlights efforts to use STARS survey results to inform international ILL programs and best practices.

Findings

To expand international interlending, STARS can build on today's extra‐OCLC resource sharing strategies and leverage survey results to focus programming and promotional efforts. At the same time, librarians must improve communications and foster international resource sharing communities which contributes to the international dialog essential for interlending success.

Originality/value

The paper presents a new initiative from the major professional association for North American librarians dedicated to resource sharing.

Citation

Atkins, D.P. (2010), "Going global: examining issues and seeking collaboration for international interlending, the view from the US", Interlending & Document Supply, Vol. 38 No. 2, pp. 72-75. https://doi.org/10.1108/02641611011047132