We received a letter from the National Archives and Records Administration this week:
Dear Microfilm Rental Customer:
I regret to inform you that the National Archives and Records Administration is terminating its Microfilm Rental Program, effective August 31, 2009. . . .
NARA has taken this action because the amount of revenue produced by the rental program no longer supports its administration and management . . . Much of the microfilm pertaining to genealogy that has been available through the rental program has been digitized and is available at either Ancestry.com or Footnote.com.
For more information on what NARA offers genealogists, visit
http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Fees are a-comin' in
The best things in life are no longer free . . .
Charleston County Public Library will begin charging patrons $2.00 per item received via interlibrary loan, beginning with requests submitted after 3pm on March 31 (which will be processed on the fee's start date of April 1).
This not a moneymaking proposition by any means - it doesn't even meet the cost of postage. Like the charges for photocopying and printing, this is a way to recover some of the costs of library services. Studies at academic libraries have shown that the total cost of an interlibrary loan, including staff time, supplies, and postage, falls between $12 and $20.
Staff members have been wondering if they will be charged. The answer, for now, is no. We encourage staff to read widely and pursue various interests. For example, I have been researching my family history over the last few years. Since my ancestors are from other states, I have had to use interlibrary loan to fill in some of the gaps in my history, and I will continue to do so.
We do ask that staff members consider the cost of this service before rushing to order items. If the item is something that you will probably buy for yourself, go ahead and buy it. If it is something that you need by a certain date, and to be able to keep it for a long period of time, you may wish to buy a copy for yourself (I'm thinking of things like textbooks and readings for classes).
If you have questions about these charges, please feel free to contact me.
Charleston County Public Library will begin charging patrons $2.00 per item received via interlibrary loan, beginning with requests submitted after 3pm on March 31 (which will be processed on the fee's start date of April 1).
This not a moneymaking proposition by any means - it doesn't even meet the cost of postage. Like the charges for photocopying and printing, this is a way to recover some of the costs of library services. Studies at academic libraries have shown that the total cost of an interlibrary loan, including staff time, supplies, and postage, falls between $12 and $20.
Staff members have been wondering if they will be charged. The answer, for now, is no. We encourage staff to read widely and pursue various interests. For example, I have been researching my family history over the last few years. Since my ancestors are from other states, I have had to use interlibrary loan to fill in some of the gaps in my history, and I will continue to do so.
We do ask that staff members consider the cost of this service before rushing to order items. If the item is something that you will probably buy for yourself, go ahead and buy it. If it is something that you need by a certain date, and to be able to keep it for a long period of time, you may wish to buy a copy for yourself (I'm thinking of things like textbooks and readings for classes).
If you have questions about these charges, please feel free to contact me.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Holiday slowdown - apologies in advance
If you order an item via ILL in the next couple of weeks, please be patient. Many academic libraries are closing for the holidays on Friday, December 12. This means the pool of libraries that we can choose from will shrink dramatically.
Also, most of our deliveries come by US mail. This time of year, the USPS is stretched to its limit delivering all sorts of goodies, so library mail may be slower than usual.
Please feel free to order items, but be aware that it may take us longer to receive items than our normal 2-3 weeks.
We will be closed December 24, 25, 26, and January 1.
Also, most of our deliveries come by US mail. This time of year, the USPS is stretched to its limit delivering all sorts of goodies, so library mail may be slower than usual.
Please feel free to order items, but be aware that it may take us longer to receive items than our normal 2-3 weeks.
We will be closed December 24, 25, 26, and January 1.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Myth #8: People read this blog :)
Ouch - ten months since a post - and no one missed us! I guess our target audience is . . . off target . . . or those who really love/hate us will call or e-mail.
I will attempt to be more vigilant about posting - I'm off to SCLA this week and hope we can revive the resource sharing group.
I will attempt to be more vigilant about posting - I'm off to SCLA this week and hope we can revive the resource sharing group.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Myth #7: "I didn't know that _______" is an all-purpose excuse
Fact: Patrons come up with all sorts of excuses for returning items late, in the bookdrop, or just generally not following the instructions that come with an interlibrary loan. The one that irks me the most is the amalglam of "I didn't know that _____" or "I didn't read that ______" or "I assumed that _____."
Excuse #1: "I didn't know that I couldn't return ILL items in the bookdrop."
Allow me to quote from the Interlibrary Loan Patron Responsibility Agreement, which all patrons are required to sign when picking up an interlibrary loan item:
"I understand that this loan represents a special service and that my obligation is to return these items on time and to the REFERENCE DESK of the library where I picked it up. I will not return it via the bookdrops." [italics mine]
Failure to read what you are signing does not absolve you of responsibility for the item.
Excuse #2: "I didn't know the due date was different from CCPL items - I thought I had a month."
The due date for interlibrary loan items is stamped upon the yellow band in red ink to make it very prominent. The Main reference desk staff (at least when I'm around) make a point of showing the patron the due date, and showing the patron the phone number for asking for renewals.
Again, failure to note this date does not absolve you from late fines.
Excuse #3: "I didn't know the yellow band had to stay on the item."
And the big black bold letters that say "DO NOT REMOVE THIS STRIP" are not there for decorative purposes. The yellow band contains information to help interlibrary loan staff match the item with the lender's paperwork to return to that library. It also contains information for patrons, including the due date and contact information for interlibrary loan. It also serves as a flag to our circulation departments if the item is accidentally mixed with CCPL items.
If the band is removed, and the item is returned in the bookdrop or in a pile of CCPL items, our circulation departments will route the item to our Administration office for courtesy returns. The ILL department is in an entirely different part of the building, and does not see these items.
Failure to follow instructions is does not absolve you from responsibility for interlibrary loan items.
CCPL staff - help us out by reminding patrons that the yellow band needs to stay on the items, and by pointing out the helpful information on the band. Maybe if we say it often enough, we can educate our public.
Excuse #1: "I didn't know that I couldn't return ILL items in the bookdrop."
Allow me to quote from the Interlibrary Loan Patron Responsibility Agreement, which all patrons are required to sign when picking up an interlibrary loan item:
"I understand that this loan represents a special service and that my obligation is to return these items on time and to the REFERENCE DESK of the library where I picked it up. I will not return it via the bookdrops." [italics mine]
Failure to read what you are signing does not absolve you of responsibility for the item.
Excuse #2: "I didn't know the due date was different from CCPL items - I thought I had a month."
The due date for interlibrary loan items is stamped upon the yellow band in red ink to make it very prominent. The Main reference desk staff (at least when I'm around) make a point of showing the patron the due date, and showing the patron the phone number for asking for renewals.
Again, failure to note this date does not absolve you from late fines.
Excuse #3: "I didn't know the yellow band had to stay on the item."
And the big black bold letters that say "DO NOT REMOVE THIS STRIP" are not there for decorative purposes. The yellow band contains information to help interlibrary loan staff match the item with the lender's paperwork to return to that library. It also contains information for patrons, including the due date and contact information for interlibrary loan. It also serves as a flag to our circulation departments if the item is accidentally mixed with CCPL items.
If the band is removed, and the item is returned in the bookdrop or in a pile of CCPL items, our circulation departments will route the item to our Administration office for courtesy returns. The ILL department is in an entirely different part of the building, and does not see these items.
Failure to follow instructions is does not absolve you from responsibility for interlibrary loan items.
CCPL staff - help us out by reminding patrons that the yellow band needs to stay on the items, and by pointing out the helpful information on the band. Maybe if we say it often enough, we can educate our public.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Myth #6 - The ILL department is psychic, or WHERE'S MY BOOK?
Fact: The ILL department cannot predict when an ILL item will arrive.
If an item is available in South Carolina, it is most likely at a library that uses interagency mail. This is a service provided by the State Library to nearly all the public and most of the college libraries. We have a high success rate with this, and requests that would take three weeks by USPS from the College of Charleston now arrive within a week. This is contingent on the lending library being able to find the item on their shelves and being able to ship it in a timely fashion after locating it. This service is not trackable and is subject to closure for holidays.
In most cases, we locate items outside of South Carolina. Most libraries use USPS library mail, which is inexpensive but slow. It is also not trackable, so if a library ships an item to us, we at CCPL cannot know where the item is at any given time, much less on what day the item will appear. Sometimes we are lucky and the item comes quickly - but in many cases we find ourselves waiting a month or more.
A few libraries will ship via UPS or FedEx, but this is rare and we are usually not told that items are shipped this way until they arrive.
Most libraries try to respond to our requests quickly, but some will take their time in responding. This is not something that we at CCPL can control; we cannot dictate procedure to other libraries. Obtaining items via interlibrary loan is dependent upon the will and whims of the lending libraries. We do our best to order from libraries that respond quickly but the rarity of some items may limit our choices.
So if your item does not arrive right away, it is not for lack of trying by the CCPL interlibrary loan staff. When we receive items, we process them right away so patrons can use them, but we cannot control the US Postal Service and are dependent on them for delivery.
If an item is available in South Carolina, it is most likely at a library that uses interagency mail. This is a service provided by the State Library to nearly all the public and most of the college libraries. We have a high success rate with this, and requests that would take three weeks by USPS from the College of Charleston now arrive within a week. This is contingent on the lending library being able to find the item on their shelves and being able to ship it in a timely fashion after locating it. This service is not trackable and is subject to closure for holidays.
In most cases, we locate items outside of South Carolina. Most libraries use USPS library mail, which is inexpensive but slow. It is also not trackable, so if a library ships an item to us, we at CCPL cannot know where the item is at any given time, much less on what day the item will appear. Sometimes we are lucky and the item comes quickly - but in many cases we find ourselves waiting a month or more.
A few libraries will ship via UPS or FedEx, but this is rare and we are usually not told that items are shipped this way until they arrive.
Most libraries try to respond to our requests quickly, but some will take their time in responding. This is not something that we at CCPL can control; we cannot dictate procedure to other libraries. Obtaining items via interlibrary loan is dependent upon the will and whims of the lending libraries. We do our best to order from libraries that respond quickly but the rarity of some items may limit our choices.
So if your item does not arrive right away, it is not for lack of trying by the CCPL interlibrary loan staff. When we receive items, we process them right away so patrons can use them, but we cannot control the US Postal Service and are dependent on them for delivery.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Myth #5 - Amazon's ASINs are helpful in searching for ILL items
Fact: Unfortunately, unless the ASIN starts with zero (0) or one (1), it is not searchable in WorldCat, which is the database we use for borrowing books and other items. So if the ASIN starts with B or 6, which many audiovisual items show, they don't need to be added to the ILL form.
For film requests, we don't need a number; we just need a good idea of what the patron needs. If a movie has been made and remade, we need to know which version the patron wants. Having the star's or director's name helps. We also need to know which format the patron prefers - DVD or VHS. If no format is indicated, we will order the format that is most widely available.
For music CDs, we need title and artist. Release dates also help.
If you have trouble verifying the existence of either type of item, indicate that on the ILL request form and send it to us anyway. Not every item is in Amazon (though they'd like to think so).
For film requests, we don't need a number; we just need a good idea of what the patron needs. If a movie has been made and remade, we need to know which version the patron wants. Having the star's or director's name helps. We also need to know which format the patron prefers - DVD or VHS. If no format is indicated, we will order the format that is most widely available.
For music CDs, we need title and artist. Release dates also help.
If you have trouble verifying the existence of either type of item, indicate that on the ILL request form and send it to us anyway. Not every item is in Amazon (though they'd like to think so).
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Myth #4: ILL items can be renewed like CCPL items
Fact: The libraries that lend us interlibrary loan items set the due dates. For any extension of these dates, we have to obtain permission from the lending library.
On the yellow band on the front of each interlibrary loan item, we give the telephone number of the interlibrary loan department (805-6940) and ask that patrons call at least two days in advance. Some leeway is granted in the case of holidays. When we are contacted, we send a message to the lending library via OCLC or e-mail. When they respond (and this can take anywhere from 1-7 days), we contact the patron to let him/her know the new due date.
Sometimes a patron will ask Circulation for a bulk renewal of their items. Interlibrary loan items will not renew without an override. If you are doing a bulk renewal, and you see an interlibrary loan item appear, please do NOT override to renew it. (Interlibrary loan items will have the designation "ILL item" before the title.) Please let the patron know that he/she will need to contact the Interlibrary Loan Department directly.
On the yellow band on the front of each interlibrary loan item, we give the telephone number of the interlibrary loan department (805-6940) and ask that patrons call at least two days in advance. Some leeway is granted in the case of holidays. When we are contacted, we send a message to the lending library via OCLC or e-mail. When they respond (and this can take anywhere from 1-7 days), we contact the patron to let him/her know the new due date.
Sometimes a patron will ask Circulation for a bulk renewal of their items. Interlibrary loan items will not renew without an override. If you are doing a bulk renewal, and you see an interlibrary loan item appear, please do NOT override to renew it. (Interlibrary loan items will have the designation "ILL item" before the title.) Please let the patron know that he/she will need to contact the Interlibrary Loan Department directly.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Myth #3 - Every library lends for free
Fact: Though it would make our lives much easier if everything was freely available, many academic and out-of-state public libraries charge a fee to lend items or make photocopies.
CCPL does participate in Libraries Very Interested in Sharing (LVIS), a consortium of 1800+ libraries that agree to lend items for free. Also, these libraries will photocopy up to 30 pages free of charge. In most cases, we are able to fill requests using these libraries or other free lenders.
If an item is not freely available, we contact our patrons to give them the option of canceling the request or paying a lending fee.
CCPL does participate in Libraries Very Interested in Sharing (LVIS), a consortium of 1800+ libraries that agree to lend items for free. Also, these libraries will photocopy up to 30 pages free of charge. In most cases, we are able to fill requests using these libraries or other free lenders.
If an item is not freely available, we contact our patrons to give them the option of canceling the request or paying a lending fee.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Myth #2: ILL items are just like CCPL items
Fact: ILL items are loaned to our library as a courtesy. If we violate this courtesy, other libraries will not be willing to lend items to us.
When a library lends an item to us, we are expected to abide by the terms the library sets. This may include restrictions to in-library use, no photocopying, no renewals, and return by a traceable method such as UPS.
One of the most important terms a library sets is the due date. Failure to return an ILL item by its due date jeopardizes the lending library's ability to serve its own patrons, for whom the item was purchased in the first place. Failure to return an interlibrary loan item at all requires the lender to search for and purchase a replacement copy. In the case of an out-of-print book, this can cost hundreds of dollars.
This is why yellow bands are put on our ILL items for easy identification. This is why we ask that the items not be returned in the bookdrop. This is why we charge late fines of .25/day to "encourage" items to be returned on time. If we cannot keep faith with our lenders, we will not be able to borrow items.
When a library lends an item to us, we are expected to abide by the terms the library sets. This may include restrictions to in-library use, no photocopying, no renewals, and return by a traceable method such as UPS.
One of the most important terms a library sets is the due date. Failure to return an ILL item by its due date jeopardizes the lending library's ability to serve its own patrons, for whom the item was purchased in the first place. Failure to return an interlibrary loan item at all requires the lender to search for and purchase a replacement copy. In the case of an out-of-print book, this can cost hundreds of dollars.
This is why yellow bands are put on our ILL items for easy identification. This is why we ask that the items not be returned in the bookdrop. This is why we charge late fines of .25/day to "encourage" items to be returned on time. If we cannot keep faith with our lenders, we will not be able to borrow items.
ILL Myth #1: Patrons must call or visit a branch to place an ILL request
Fact: Patrons may place an interlibrary loan request online by filling out our online form. They may also e-mail requests to ill@ccpl.org. Main Reference's AskAQuestion service also accepts ILL requests - but filling out the online ILL form sends the requests directly to the ILL e-mail account.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Holiday slowdown
'Tis the season when things slow down somewhat in ILL. Many academic libraries will close this week after exams, and many public libraries will be short-staffed as people begin holiday travel. This may mean delays in obtaining interlibrary loan items from other libraries.
As requests slow down, we in ILL begin shuffling and discarding paperwork for photocopy requests prior to January 1, 2005 and for loan requests prior to January 1, 2007. The file cabinet will then have enough space to hold all of the requests we will receive in 2008.
CCPL ILL will shut down for the holidays on Friday, December 21 at 5:00 and reopen on Thursday, December 27. We will also be closed Tuesday, January 1, 2008.
As requests slow down, we in ILL begin shuffling and discarding paperwork for photocopy requests prior to January 1, 2005 and for loan requests prior to January 1, 2007. The file cabinet will then have enough space to hold all of the requests we will receive in 2008.
CCPL ILL will shut down for the holidays on Friday, December 21 at 5:00 and reopen on Thursday, December 27. We will also be closed Tuesday, January 1, 2008.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Digitized children's books
The Library of Congress has digitzed 50 older (1915 and earlier) children's books in their Rare Book and Special Collections Reading Room. Check it out at
http://www.loc.gov/rr/rarebook/digitalcoll/digitalcoll-children.html
Found via Librarian in Black
http://www.loc.gov/rr/rarebook/digitalcoll/digitalcoll-children.html
Found via Librarian in Black
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Back from SCLA
I spent the last few days in Columbia at the SCLA annual conference. It is great to connect with fellow librarians who are making great strides in the library profession and are willing to share how they did it with others.
The Resource Sharing Interest Group is looking at a number of ways to regenerate and connect interlibrary loan and resource sharing staff across South Carolina. Our first initiative will be a survey sent to all resource sharing staff across the state. What we hope to accomplish is to create a community for sharing tips and tricks, and to provide help to each other when needed.
So watch your snail mail and e-mail - your survey will be available soon!
The Resource Sharing Interest Group is looking at a number of ways to regenerate and connect interlibrary loan and resource sharing staff across South Carolina. Our first initiative will be a survey sent to all resource sharing staff across the state. What we hope to accomplish is to create a community for sharing tips and tricks, and to provide help to each other when needed.
So watch your snail mail and e-mail - your survey will be available soon!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Applying Tech Trek 2.0 to real life
Over the last year or two I have been compiling a list of items in OCLC that have "Charleston County Library" listed next to them - but that CCPL does not own. I've been putting my findings into a spreadsheet on my hard drive, but this week's Tech Trek quest has inspired me to try to create a file in an online application. It was surprisingly easy to upload, and took less than a minute to do so in spite of the size of the file.
I will continue to add to this file as we reject requests to lend items that we no longer own. I am also comparing our collection decade by decade with the catalog as I have time - working on 1921-1930 at this time.
If you're interested, take a look - over 2,400 items listed.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pMy4FPsw9OU7HQSKtjqnmLA&hl=en
I will continue to add to this file as we reject requests to lend items that we no longer own. I am also comparing our collection decade by decade with the catalog as I have time - working on 1921-1930 at this time.
If you're interested, take a look - over 2,400 items listed.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pMy4FPsw9OU7HQSKtjqnmLA&hl=en
Friday, October 12, 2007
Random statistics
Carrie Volk of Wofford has generated a brochure for our Resource Sharing Interest Group of SCLA. Her fast facts inside the brochure inspired me to do some quick calculations:
In FY 2006 (July 2005-June 2006), public libraries in South Carolina borrowed 37,472 items. CCPL borrowed 5,095 items, or 13.6% of items borrowed (1st in SC).
In FY 2006, public libraries in South Carolina loaned 20,164 items. CCPL loaned 1,491 items, or 7.4% of items loaned (5th in SC).
In FY 2006 (July 2005-June 2006), public libraries in South Carolina borrowed 37,472 items. CCPL borrowed 5,095 items, or 13.6% of items borrowed (1st in SC).
In FY 2006, public libraries in South Carolina loaned 20,164 items. CCPL loaned 1,491 items, or 7.4% of items loaned (5th in SC).
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Silent library
The library is eerily silent tonight - the only sound is the click click click of computer keyboards. No kids wandering the stacks, no one asking for copier change, very very quiet.
If you saw me right now at the reference desk, you wouldn't think we have increased interlibrary loan services over 35% since 2001. We may not look busy at this moment, but go back to the ILL desk and watch the requests roll in from our branches and departments - and from patrons via e-mail.
The pursuit of knowledge connects us all - I'm glad to have an opportunity to share (and be shared with, too)!
If you saw me right now at the reference desk, you wouldn't think we have increased interlibrary loan services over 35% since 2001. We may not look busy at this moment, but go back to the ILL desk and watch the requests roll in from our branches and departments - and from patrons via e-mail.
The pursuit of knowledge connects us all - I'm glad to have an opportunity to share (and be shared with, too)!
Monday, October 8, 2007
Crazy September
We have been absolutely slammed with requests throughout the month of September and are just now to a point where we can breathe, relax, and maybe even post to the blog. More musings to come!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The textbook question, and some answers
School starts this week, and about this time requests for textbooks begin to trickle in.
Textbooks can sometimes be borrowed via interlibrary loan. The main problem is that the maximum time we can have these books is about six weeks, less than half of a semester. If patrons decide to keep them longer, their accounts will be frozen by overdue fines (25 cents per day).
The lending library may need the item back for their own patrons, and we receive unpleasant e-mails and letters until the item is returned. This jeopardizes our ability to borrow items in the future.
An article in the Post and Courier's business review on Monday offers a few options for students who are trying to avoid the outrageous costs of textbooks. A number of online booksellers offer significant discounts on textbooks:
Textbooks can sometimes be borrowed via interlibrary loan. The main problem is that the maximum time we can have these books is about six weeks, less than half of a semester. If patrons decide to keep them longer, their accounts will be frozen by overdue fines (25 cents per day).
The lending library may need the item back for their own patrons, and we receive unpleasant e-mails and letters until the item is returned. This jeopardizes our ability to borrow items in the future.
An article in the Post and Courier's business review on Monday offers a few options for students who are trying to avoid the outrageous costs of textbooks. A number of online booksellers offer significant discounts on textbooks:
- Half.com
- Amazon.com
- CheapestTextbooks.com
- AbeBooks.com
- Alibris.com
- Campusbooks.com
- BestBookBuys.com
- BarnesandNoble.com
- Vitalsource.com
To see the article, click this link and scroll down to "Other UMPC news:"
http://umpc.com/default.aspx?story_id=109326928
Additional information found via Librarian's Internet Index sites of the week:
MakeTextbooksAffordable.com is a site devoted to a national student campaign against the rising costs of textbooks. California and Massachusetts have legislative bills pending to cap the costs of textbooks.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Resource sharing and SCLA
The Resource Sharing Interest Group (RSIG) of the South Carolina Library Association (SCLA) has been inactive for a while. Carrie Volk of Winthrop University, the chair of this group, is making efforts to revive it.
Their membership has leaned largely toward the academic libraries, and they want more public library participation. Via the State Library, Carrie was given my name as a public interlibrary loan librarian. Today, I was officially appointed secretary of this group for 2007 and 2008.
As library budgets are squeezed, no one library can have everything, and resource sharing is becoming vitally important to obtaining the information our patrons need. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to participate in dreaming and visioning for the future of interlibrary loan in South Carolina.
Their membership has leaned largely toward the academic libraries, and they want more public library participation. Via the State Library, Carrie was given my name as a public interlibrary loan librarian. Today, I was officially appointed secretary of this group for 2007 and 2008.
As library budgets are squeezed, no one library can have everything, and resource sharing is becoming vitally important to obtaining the information our patrons need. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to participate in dreaming and visioning for the future of interlibrary loan in South Carolina.
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