8. Choosing

Libraries should exhaust their resources before initiating interlibrary loan requests. Select lending locations carefully following the borrowing protocols below. Consider potential costs and speed of delivery when requesting. It is also important to avoid overuse of particular lenders.

The OCLC system allows you to program your computer to select the libraries where each request should be sent. This feature is called “custom holdings.” It takes a little time to set up your custom holdings, but it will save you a great deal of time when ordering materials. Your OCLC Interlibrary Loan Manual explains how to do this programming. It is also described in the CUSTOM HOLDINGS chapter of this manual.

As of August 2003, members’ ILL policies have been removed from the
ILL Policies OCLC Name-Address Directory (NAD). Users are now checking the new Directory OCLC ILL Library Policies and Technology Directory to locate ILL policies of potential lenders. Check the Policies Directory before requesing from a library when you are not familiar with their loan policies.

If your TexNet center is listed as owning the item, place them first in the lender string.

If no holdings are shown for TX@G, AmiNet, or LVIS send the request to your TexNet center.

If less than five libraries own the item place your referral center last in the lender string.

If more than five libraries own the item, select five locations using the guidelines listed below for your type of library. If the request comes back unfilled, select some more locations and place your TexNet referral center last in the lender string.

Indicate in the borrowing notes field whether the referral center is listed as owning the item.

Use the following guides in selecting lenders, starting with those which are nearest your library, and have signed the AMIGOS Interlibrary Loan Code.

Public Libraries:

• Other libraries of the same type as you
• TexNet Center or Project Loan libraries
• Other Texas academic or special libraries
• AmiNet public libraries (if an AmiNet member)
• Other AmiNet libraries (if an AmiNet member)
• Same-type LVIS libraries (if an LVIS members)
• Other LVIS libraries (if an LVIS members)
  

The following is an example of a lender string for Round Rock Public Library, when only three Texas Group libraries and one AmiNet library owns it.

Waco-McLennan County Library (public library); San Antonio Public Library (TexNet Center library); Austin Community College (other academic library); Tuscon Public Library (AmiNet); West Des Moines Public Library (Iowa)

Academic and special libraries:

• Same-type libraries: academic libraries should go to other academic libraries and special libraries should go to special libraries
• Public libraries
• Same-type AmiNet libraries (if an AmiNet member)
• Other AmiNet libraries (if an AmiNet member)
• Same-type LVIS libraries (if an LVIS member)
• Other LVIS libraries (if an LVIS member)

The following is an example of a typical lender string for Central Texas College, when Austin Public does not own the item:

Austin Community College (other community college); McMurry University; Dallas Public Library (TexNet Center); Waco-McLennan County Library (other public); East Arkansas College Library (AmiNet): Grand View College (Iowa)