Interlibrary loan in primary access libraries: challenging the traditional view

Area of Science:

• Medical Librarianship
• Information Science
• Health Sciences Information Systems

Background:

• Primary access libraries form the base of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) interlibrary loan (ILL) hierarchy.
• Published reports often overlook the significant role these libraries play in the national ILL system.
• A traditional view positions small, primary access libraries as primarily ILL users rather than key contributors to system efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test common assumptions about how primary access libraries utilize the ILL system.
• To evaluate adherence to ILL guidelines, the impact of library closures, and the relationship between collection size and borrowing/lending patterns.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 1992 and 1997 DOCLINE and OCLC data from 54 health sciences libraries in Colorado and Wyoming.
• Included 50 primary access libraries, 2 state resource libraries, and 2 general academic libraries.
• Data analyzed using Microsoft Word, Excel, and JMP statistical software.

Main Results:

• Primary access libraries prioritize local borrowing, adhering to hierarchical ILL structures.
• Closures of two libraries increased ILL activity for resource libraries, highlighting the contributions of primary access libraries.
• Lending and borrowing volumes correlate with collection size, indicating efficient resource utilization.

Conclusions:

• Findings challenge traditional beliefs about primary access libraries' role in ILL.
• Primary access libraries make significant contributions to the national ILL system.
• Provides baseline data for benchmarking performance in health sciences library ILL practices.