Interlibrary loan management with microcomputers: a descriptive comparison of software

Area of Science:

• Library and Information Science
• Information Management

Background:

• Interlibrary loan (ILL) processing and record keeping traditionally involve manual tasks.
• The increasing volume of interlibrary requests necessitates efficient management solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the application of microcomputers in automating interlibrary loan (ILL) processes.
• To establish criteria for evaluating automation software for ILL management.

Main Methods:

• Review of microcomputer applications for library automation.
• Discussion of various software options, including dedicated ILL management systems and customizable database programs.
• Presentation of descriptive profiles and sample input screens of selected software packages.

Main Results:

• Automation of ILL processing using microcomputers is feasible and beneficial.
• Clear criteria are essential for selecting appropriate software.
• A range of software solutions exists, catering to different needs and technical capabilities.

Conclusions:

• Microcomputer-based automation can significantly improve interlibrary loan efficiency.
• Libraries should carefully evaluate software options based on established criteria before implementation.
• The study offers practical insights for libraries considering automation of their ILL services.