Michael Schwartz Library Publications

Title

Exploring Document Delivery Options: A Pilot Study of the University of Colorado System

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1995

Publication Title

Technical Services Quarterly

Abstract

In the spring of 1993, five libraries in the University of Colorado multi-campus system explored ways to provide expedited interlibrary loan (ILL) for materials owned collectively. As a result, a pilot study was launched to evaluate the feasibility of employing commercial document delivery as an alternative to ILL, and as a possible solution to the growing need for expedited information delivery. The goal of this study was to determine if a significant number of interlibrary loan requests could be supplied by commercial vendors reliably, cost effectively, and quickly. The results showed that libraries with small collections, large populations, and general patron needs could fill a high percentage of requests using commercial suppliers, while libraries with research or specialized needs experienced differing success rates depending on the titles and coverage offered by each service in the study.

Original Citation

Thornton, G. A. and Yem Fong. (1995). Exploring Document Delivery Options: A Pilot Study of the University of Colorado System. Technical Services Quarterly, 12, 2, 1-12.

DOI

10.1300/J124v12n02_01

Volume

12

Issue

2

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