Dear all,

A few people asked me to share responses to my enquiry about whether any libraries bought books rather than borrowing them for ILL requests.

Thanks to everyone who replied. I had 13 responses; the results are below.

Do you ever buy rather than borrow?

No:      3

Yes if cheaper than BL:          5

Yes if less than £30                 1

Yes if thought relevant to others:        2

Yes if new or cannot be obtained elsewhere:             1

Yes if new and relevant, or renewed more than once:          1

Named sources.

Amazon:          5

ABE:                1

Alternatives.

Refer to Subject Librarian for possible purchase:      3

Disposal

Resell or offer to requester:                1

Offer to BL or Any Books, or put in book sale:          1

Put into stock or offer to requester:                1

Comments

Amazon is quickest:                3

Need to be sure you are obtaining correct edition:                 1

Way of monitoring what is needed:                1

Delivery costs need to be taken into account:           1

Some Subject Librarians unhappy giving books to requesters:                     1

Can slow down process:         1

Few actually bought (8 in 2 years):                1

Michael Robbins,

Senior Collections Assistant (Interlending),

The Library,

University of East Anglia,

Norwich Research Park,

Norwich,

NR4 7TJ

01603 592437