THE BRITISH LIBRARY LENDING DIVISION IN 1978/79

Abstract

After a reduced rate of increase in 1977/78, demand resumed its previous growth rate: 8% more requests were received than in the previous year — 6.5% more from British organisations, 17% more from overseas. For items not in Lending Division stock, more requests were sent to back‐up and special support libraries than were supplied with locations. Staff shortages affected the quality and speed of service at times during the year. Progress with the extension to the Urquhart Building was much slower than scheduled, and full occupation is unlikely before early 1980. The non‐postal transport schemes in London and the North West gave substantial savings to participating libraries, and schemes for other regions are being explored. The BLAISE Automatic Document Request Service came into operation, and similar links with other data base operators are being explored. The number of current serials acquired reached 51,450, an increase of 4% over the previous year. Nearly 80,000 volumes of monographs were purchased, and 40,000 donated by other libraries. Numerous research collections in microform were acquired. The purchase of US doctoral dissertations was halted, but nearly all British doctoral theses are now being filmed. Resources were specially allocated to the conservation of stock, with priority being given to older serials and pre‐1801 monographs. Preparations were made for a Cancer Information Service for Developing Countries, in collaboration with the US National Cancer Institute, whereby free searches of the CANCERLINE data bases will be linked with the supply of photocopies of articles identified as being wanted.

Citation

(1979), "THE BRITISH LIBRARY LENDING DIVISION IN 1978/79", Interlending Review, Vol. 7 No. 3, pp. 69-80. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb017642