A survey of e-book interlibrary loan policy in US academic libraries
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to reveal the perceived barriers to e-book interlibrary loan (ILL) and their reflections on academic libraries’ ILL/lending policies. Academic libraries in the USA have witnessed an impressive growth in acquiring e-journals and e-books. Although ILL of e-journal articles has become a standard practice, ILL of copyrighted e-books does not appear to be equally common. E-book ILL is often considered difficult or nearly impossible because restrictions for ILL are embedded in license agreements (or terms of use) and reinforced by technological measures.
Design/methodology/approach
The study opted for a telephone survey method, in which researchers collected data on ILL/lending policies about e-journals and e-books in 200 randomly selected academic libraries in the USA.
Findings
The findings show the state of e-books in US academic libraries and demonstrate the slow adoption of e-book ILL compared to e-journal ILL. Licensing restrictions and lack of technical means are the major obstacles perceived by librarians, but there may also be a barrier of perception.
Research limitations/implications
The survey data do not necessarily provide explanations. In-depth interviews may be needed to explain the barriers and perceptions.
Practical implications
This paper reveals important perceptions and facts about e-book ILL in academic libraries and analyzes the obstacles and restrictions on e-book.
Originality/value
This paper provides empirical data on the status of e-book ILL.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
© Xiaohua Zhu and Lan Shen, 2014. This paper was originally presented at the 13th IFLA Interlending and Document Supply Conference, in Beijing, China, 16-18 October 2013. Published with the kind permission of IFLA. www.ifla.org/. Articles published by Emerald which have their origins in an IFLA project are made freely accessible nine months after official publication. For permission to reuse this article, please contact the copyright holder.
Special thanks to Emily Griffey for administrating the survey and assisting with data analysis.
Citation
Zhu, X. and Shen, L. (2014), "A survey of e-book interlibrary loan policy in US academic libraries", Interlending & Document Supply, Vol. 42 No. 2/3, pp. 57-63. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILDS-05-2014-0025
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Authors