Lending and Borrowing Across Borders: Issues and Challenges with International Resource Sharing

• Published in: Reference and user services quarterly Vol. 49; no. 1; pp. 54 - 63
• Main Authors: Baich, Tina, Zou, Tim Jiping, Weltin, Heather, Yang, Zheng Ye
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago American Library Association 22-09-2009
• Subjects: Academic Libraries; Attitudes; Best Practices; Collaboration; Committees; Company financing; Delivery costs; Delivery services; Delivery Systems; Document delivery; Educational organizations; Environment; Equipment and supplies; Finance; FROM COMMITTEES OF RUSA; Guidelines; Information Seeking; Interlibrary loans; International Cooperation; International document delivery; International lending; International Organizations; International standards; ISO standards; Law Libraries; Libraries; Library Associations; Library operations; Library surveys; Literature Reviews; Loans; Loanwords; Methods; Negative Attitudes; Online Catalogs; Online Systems; Payments; Postal & delivery services; Reference and User Services Association; Research Libraries; Resource sharing; Respondents; Shared Resources and Services; Shipping; USA; United States; Canada; United States > US
• ISSN: 1094-9054; 2163-5242

In 2002, Robert Seal clearly delineated many of the challenges of international ILL: (1) inadequate human resources to carry out interlibrary loan, especially on an international scale; (2) insufficient funding which prevents starting and sustaining collaborative projects; (3) out-of-date computer technology, incompatible systems, and poor telecommunications infrastructure; (4) a lack of international standards for bibliographic description, record format, and exchange of data; (5) copyright issues; (6) insufficient information about foreign holdings; (7) a lack of knowledge about methods of access, regulations and policies abroad; (8) negative attitudes or mistrust; (9) lack of resource sharing tradition; and (10) an unwillingness to share limited resources which could be lost or damaged.2 As the results of the committee's survey showed, many of these challenges still exist or are perceived to exist. When asked to offer tips on simplifying shipping returnable materials internationally, the following were among respondents' suggestions: * Always ship via air mail (it can take up to 8 weeks by boat). * Always use first class USPS for faster delivery to Canadian libraries. * Ask international borrowers to include preferred shipping method for receipt and return of materials. * Double check addresses or get preprinted shipping forms to avoid mistakes. * Always use a tracking number or pay the little extra for delivery signature, guaranteed delivery, or insurance. * Declare no value on customs form. * Write Content: