Search

The present interlibrary loan system will need to be better organized and expanded to include centralized regional centers in order to meet the increasing volume of requests. Presently about 70% of 10 million requests are being successfully filled within regional and local systems. Two major problems of the present system are (1) unequal distribution of lending and (2) difficulty filling incomplete and incorrect requests. These will be growing problems as the request rate doubles during this decade. Present regional systems, and current literature were studied, and persons involved in interlibrary loans were interviewed during this study. Recommended is a network to be funded by the Federal Government of regional bibliographic centers, resource centers and back-up centers centrally planned, but with a decentralized service program. Methodology and an outline for a cost study are included. (Author/DH)

From an examination of the data in several recent studies of interlibrary loans, an estimate of the present volume and general statements about interlibrary loan for all types of libraries in the United States are made. (Author/PF)

The replacement of some books and journal files with microform copies as a solution for the storage of library materials is discussed. (NH)