TRANSPORT SCHEMES FOR INTERLIBRARY LENDING: THE UK EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Where postal services are slow, unreliable or expensive, dedicated transport schemes for interlending purposes should be considered; their usefulness will vary from one country to another, according to local circumstances. In the UK, feasibility studies were followed by the setting up of transport schemes in a number of the UK library regions, and a national scheme linking the regions was envisaged. Transport schemes were not considered worthwhile in the larger regions with less interlending activity. A methodology for setting up schemes has been devised. The present transport schemes are financially competitive and likely to remain so. UK experience might provide a framework for assessing potential schemes in other countries.

Citation

Merry, K. (1982), "TRANSPORT SCHEMES FOR INTERLIBRARY LENDING: THE UK EXPERIENCE", Interlending Review, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 49-53. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb017699