Are any other libraries experiencing increasing problems with certain
supplying libraries claiming to have never received ILL requests, despite
the fact that they were correctly addressed and seem to reach all other
libraries quite easily ?
In one case, our by then rather old request turned up tucked at the back of
the requested book, which we eventually received after submitting a second
pre-paid request, with no apology or acknowledgement forthcoming.
Unfortunately, this time we haven't been so lucky, and have no option but to
pay out again if we still want the item requested.
The British Library is unable to reimburse requesting libraries for pre-paid
requests which apparently go missing, as they rightly state that any such
dealings are the sole concern of the two libraries concerned.
Of course, items can go missing in the post, we all make mistakes, and we
don't have to use pre-paid forms, but for us at least this kind of problem
seems to be arising more frequently than it did even when we used to send
all requests by post, years back.
Sending all requests by Special Delivery would seem to be a case of
overkill, as well as being expensive.
Is this a common experience ?
Louise Allum
Falmer Library
University of Brighton
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