Debbie,
We have been using the Innovative ILL module for acquiring both items
for loan and photocopies here at Essex since the beginning of 1999. We
implemented the module in 2 stages. We have been acquiring all
photocopied articles/papers on it since November 1997 and once Release
12 was available we started acquiring books and theses on the module.
Considering we were using files of manual cards for ILL housekeeping,
it represents a significant improvement in the service we offer.
Examples of this are readers being able to view their ILL awaiting
arrival and ready for pickup on the library opacs and web catalogue.
In addition, readers are being warned of ILLs for pickup when books
from our own stock are issued to them at our circulation desk as an ILL
hold pickup is listed.
It took us a long time to implement the system, because intially it was
not up to the job, requiring the elimination of bugs and several
enhancements. In my opinion, it was only once Release 12 became
available that we had a viable system for our working environment. I
think it is also true to say that the ILL module was designed
primarilly for the US interlending scene with British things like
Artemail requesting to BLDSC as an add on. Gradually things were
improved. Release 12 brought a on loan "Returns" file now separate from
the archive "Filled" file. There was the ability to go more easily into
the circulation system from the module and for simultaneous use in the
same file such as 2 people receiving in and processing photocopies and
books on different terminals. Apart from one crash involving losing the
contents of the "Pending" file which was restored from backup, it does
work and I believe that UK University Libraries should be able to use
it within the UK interlending environment.
However, I must state that we are using it at a fairly basic level. For
example our users are not inputting their requests electronically yet
on the OPAC or web, although we are hoping to introduce this. We only
acquire requests by artemail and letter, not using the email option. I
don't know how easy it would be to integrate the ILL module with using
Lamda and Ariel software. Also we are a single campus university with
one central ILL Dept.
Furthermore, we have had to improvise and adapt our procedures to cater
for the limitations of the system. An example of this are ILL books that
are library use only. The ILL module is only able to generate one type
of notification of the arrival of an ILL lending item. Therefore, we can
only automatically generate a notification for an item for home reading
(the majority). Every time we have a library use only item we send out
manually a differently designed notification with "Library Use Only"
emblazoned on it, having of course written in the bibliographic details
and barcode number on it ourselves. (By the way we are using the BL
number as the barcode number.)
I hope this of help. We are hoping to give a presentation about
Essex's experience of the ILL module at the EIUG AGM and Conference in
Cambridge on 13/14th September.
Paul Naish
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On Thu, 24 Jun 1999 15:05:21 +0000 "D.A.Cheesman"
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Is anyone in the UK using III's Inter Library Loans module, and if so
> what do you think of it?
>
> Do you feel Innovative have addressed the UK issues for ILL, or
> are enhancements still needed for it to fully satisfy UK ILL
> requirements?
>
> Debbie Cheesman
> ***********************
> Debbie Cheesman
> Systems Librarian
> City University
> London EC1V OHB
> Tel: +44 171 505 5637
> Fax: +44 171 477 8194
> email: [log in to unmask]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Paul Naish
Principal Library Assistant: Interlibrary Loans
The Albert Sloman Library
University of Essex
PO Box 24
Colchester CO4 3UA
Tel.(01206) 873186 Fax. (01206) 872289
[log in to unmask]
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