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.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
It's nothing personal
Over the years we have had a number of requests we could not fill, for various reasons. Occasionally people will call to ask why. Their tones of voice range from quietly curious to spitting mad, wondering why we are conspiring to deny them their constitutional rights.
Most people understand, in the case of hard-to-find items, that libraries may not want to part with something that is irreplaceable. Others believe that paying taxes allows them to say and do whatever they please, regardless of rules or courtesy.
Frankly, we are so busy that we barely have time to register who is ordering items, much less set up personal vendettas against people. We don't walk into the library each day saying "Who are we not going to help today?" It is much easier and better for my ego to fill a request if I possibly can, but the realities of interlibrary loan sometimes work against us.
If we are not able to fill your request, it is not because we picked your request at random to shred. It is not part of a government plot. We search to the best of our ability, and most of the time we succeed. If sometimes we fail, it is NOT due to lack of trying.
It has been a very long week for us in Charleston. Compared with our firefighters, we librarians have an easy job. Interlibrary loan is not life and death, and no one will die if an item is not loaned, regardless of what it is.
Most people understand, in the case of hard-to-find items, that libraries may not want to part with something that is irreplaceable. Others believe that paying taxes allows them to say and do whatever they please, regardless of rules or courtesy.
Frankly, we are so busy that we barely have time to register who is ordering items, much less set up personal vendettas against people. We don't walk into the library each day saying "Who are we not going to help today?" It is much easier and better for my ego to fill a request if I possibly can, but the realities of interlibrary loan sometimes work against us.
If we are not able to fill your request, it is not because we picked your request at random to shred. It is not part of a government plot. We search to the best of our ability, and most of the time we succeed. If sometimes we fail, it is NOT due to lack of trying.
It has been a very long week for us in Charleston. Compared with our firefighters, we librarians have an easy job. Interlibrary loan is not life and death, and no one will die if an item is not loaned, regardless of what it is.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
More numbers . . .
I've been working on some comparative statistics - comparing May 2007 with previous Mays, and January-May 2007 with the same period in previous years.
In May 2001 we processed 463 borrowing requests.
In May 2007 we processed 750 borrowing requests (38.3% increase).
In May 2001 we processed 237 lending requests.
In May 2007 we processed 291 lending requests (18.6% increase).
In the period January-May 2001, we processed 2419 borrowing requests.
In the period January-May 2007, we processed 3978 borrowing requests (39.2% increase).
In the period January-May 2001, we processed 1114 lending requests.
In the period January-May 2007, we processed 1621 lending requests (31.3% increase).
It is amazing how much we have grown!
In May 2001 we processed 463 borrowing requests.
In May 2007 we processed 750 borrowing requests (38.3% increase).
In May 2001 we processed 237 lending requests.
In May 2007 we processed 291 lending requests (18.6% increase).
In the period January-May 2001, we processed 2419 borrowing requests.
In the period January-May 2007, we processed 3978 borrowing requests (39.2% increase).
In the period January-May 2001, we processed 1114 lending requests.
In the period January-May 2007, we processed 1621 lending requests (31.3% increase).
It is amazing how much we have grown!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
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!
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!
Friday, June 8, 2007
Back to work . . .
I'm back from three days at Mt Pleasant. The change in routine was fun, and I enjoyed the variety of questions presented by a different crop of patrons.
But today I'm in my old groove again - and it does feel good to be back. The pile of notes on my desk was small, which makes me happy. The ILL crew and backup staff did an excellent job (just like they do every day).
But today I'm in my old groove again - and it does feel good to be back. The pile of notes on my desk was small, which makes me happy. The ILL crew and backup staff did an excellent job (just like they do every day).
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