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).

My request has disappeared

When we place an order for an item from another library, a brief (temporary) record is placed in our catalog for the title, and a hold is placed for the patron who ordered it. The tracking number on the title is the same as the number assigned by OCLC, the national database we use for ordering items.

Not all requests are filled on the first (or second) go-round. When a request bounces back to us as unfilled -- after visiting five libraries -- we remove the temporary record for the title with its tracking number, to avoid confusion. If we are able to find other libraries that have the item, we place another order for it. A new brief record is created -- with the new tracking number -- and a hold is placed for the patron.

If we are unable to locate any more libraries that own the item, we contact the patron. This is usually done by postcard, but if an e-mail address is included on the request form, we respond by e-mail.

There is sometimes a time lag between the deletion of one temporary record and its replacement by another. We handle many, many requests every day, and sometimes we have a backlog of new records to place in the catalog. We do the best we can to have all new records in by the end of our business day, but occasionally we have an overnight lag.

If you have any questions regarding your request, please feel free to contact us. Your local branch may be able to provide some information, but more detailed information is available from our department directly (I L L (at) c c p l (dot) org) or 805-6940.

ILL needs a clue . . .

Sometimes the requests we receive are very cryptic. For example, we received a request for newspaper microfilm that gave only the town and the date - no state information, and not the name of the paper.

When we looked up the name of the town, we found that three states in widely different parts of the US had a town by that name, and each had a library. Luckily we were able to reach the patron, who clarified what state she needed.

We also receive requests for items that have been released in multiple formats: book, large print book, audio cassette, CD, DVD, and VHS. It helps us tremendously to know what format you need, so please indicate that on the form. If it doesn't matter whether you have a DVD or VHS, please let us know that too. Sometimes if we can't find one format, we can find another.

Amazon often puts an ASIN in their records for which there is no ISBN. Unfortunately, many of those do not work in OCLC, the database we use for searching items. If the ASIN starts with a B or a 6, we cannot use it. ISBN-10 or ISBN-13's usually work - whichever you can find is fine.

The more clues we have, the faster we can locate an item!

So you want to borrow an item from another library

Now what?

You can submit your request in several ways:

• in person at a branch
• by telephone, to Interlibrary Loan directly at 805-694o or Main Telephone Reference at 805-6930 or the branch of your choice
• by e-mail at i l l (at) c c p l (dot) org
• via our webform at http://www.ccpl.org/content.asp?name=Site&catID=9749&parentID=9676

We will need your library card number, contact information, and as much information about the item you want as you can find.

Why your library card number? If you do not have a library card, you cannot borrow CCPL items. If you can't borrow CCPL items, we cannot ask other libraries to lend their items to us for you.

We take your contact information in as many forms as possible so we can be sure of reaching you when your item is available, or if we have a question about your request. We can contact you by mail, by phone, or by e-mail.

The more we know about the item you want, the better chance we have of finding it. This is especially true when the same title is available in a variety of formats - book, CD, DVD, etc. At minimum, we need a title and author for books/books on CD, title and artist for music CDs, and title and release date for DVDs.

Interlibrary loan items, like CCPL items, can be sent to any branch. We need to know which branch you use so we can send the item there for you. You will be notified by phone, e-mail or postcard when the item is available.