Information Services Newsletter
Library Launches Enhanced Document Delivery Service

The Library’s traditional Inter-Library Loan Service is being re-launched with increased functionality to allow off-campus users, and particularly Distance Learners, to request documents via a web form, and where possible to have them delivered electronically as well.

A self-service Inter-Library Loan form is now available in the Borrower Info / Services option on the Library Catalogue. Registered users can submit a request electronically, but Copyright regulations still oblige us to ask users requesting photocopies to print off the form, sign the copyright declaration and return it to the relevant ILL Office, either by FAX or by post. It is important to note that we can process the request, but legally cannot supply the article until this signature has been received. As with the current paper-based requests, undergraduates and taught postgraduates still require the countersignature of a member of academic staff.

Registered Distance Learners can now also benefit from our ability to scan documents from Library stock (typically periodical articles) and send them to their e-mail address as Acrobat files. Unfortunately the time involved in providing this service does not currently allow us to offer it to other categories of user, but that will be kept under review.

A similar scanning service from the British Library is currently being introduced. In the first instance this will also allow us to send British Library requests as scanned Acrobat files directly to the e-mail addresses of Academic and Research staff. Initial tests indicate that this will offer an alternative very high quality and much faster service than the traditional postal method.

These exciting new electronic document delivery facilities are seen by the Library as an important addition to the portfolio of services we offer, but they are still under development and further enhancements will follow. News of these and other developments will be posted on the Library Web Page and circulated on University mailing lists.

Patrick Teskey