DOCUMINT RIBSUME ED 028 794 LI 001 437 Interlibrary Loan in New York State; A Report Prepared for the Division of LibraryDevelopment of the New Yo;* State Library. Nelson Associates, Inc., New York, N.Y. Spons Agency-New York State Library, Albany. Div.. of Library Development. Pub Date Feb 69 Note- 320p. Available from-Nelson Associates, Inc., 845 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022 (S10.00) EDRS Price MF -S125 HC Not Available from EDRS. Descriptors-Automation, Information Needs, *Interlibrary. Loans, *Library Cooperation, *LibraryNetworks, . Library Programs, *Library Services, *Library Surveys, Regional-Programs,State Programns Identifiers-*New York State Interlibrary Loan Network, NYSILL Discussed in this report are: (1) the current operations of the NewYork State Interlibrary Loan Network (NYSILL(2) the role this network *plays within the overall context Of interlibrary borrowing and lending in .the state,and (3) the possibilities for future development of these services. In addition to reviewing the projects,NYSILL is evaluated by examining other interlibrary loan systems and resources toestablish the framework in which NYSILL operates and by studying the implications ofNYSILL's modifications of the traditional procedures of interlibrary lending. Topics covered in the report inclUde: the development of requests, the operation of theNYSILI.. network. regional networks and direct academic service. NYSLL and library technology,and interlibrary loan in New York State. It is concluded that NYSILL has fully demonstrated its value to library patrons, and it is recommendedthat the program be made one of the permanent reference and research services provided by the state.It is also concluded 'that the two regional interlibrary loan systems funded by the state at Buffalo and Rochester .are complimentary to NYSILL and have proved to be successful, and it is suggested that these networks also be permanently funded. Appendixes include details on the library survey and the analysis of interlibrary loan requests, an interim report:on phase I of the project, and a 79-item bibliography. (Author/JB)- Ix001437 "PERMISSION TOREPRODUCE THIS 411111111111-MATE .f AL HAS BEEN RANTED BY / TO ERIC ANDORGANIZATIONS OPERATING UNDER AGREEMENTS WITH THE U.S. OFFICEOF EDUCATION. FURTHER REPRODUCTION OUTSIDE THE ERIC SYSTEM REQUIRES PERMISSIONOF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER." INTERLIBRARY LOAN IN NEW YORK STATE A Report Prepared for the . Division of Library Development of The New York State Library Nelson Associates, Incorporated New York, New York February, 1969 This report is submitted "--. solely for the information and benefit of the client :14 to whom it is addressed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE CD OFFICE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRODUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGINATING IT.POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFICE OF EDUCATION POSITION OR POLICY. NELSON ASSOCIATES. INCORPORATED 845 THIRD AVENUE. NEW YORK. N.Y. 10022 212 HA 1-3110 February 28, 1969 Miss Jean L. Connor, Director Division of Library Development The New York State Library Albany, New York 12224 Dear Miss Connor: We are pleased to submit our report on the current opera- tions oi The New York State Library's statewidereference and research interlibrary loan network (NYSILL), the role this network playswithin the overall context of interlibrary borrowing andlending-in the state, and the possibilities for future development of theseservices. We have concluded that NYSILL bas fully demonstrated its value tolibrary patrons, and accordingly this report recommendsthat the program shed its experimental status to tam its place as one of the permanentrefer- ence and research servicesprovided by the state. The two regional interlibrary loan systems funded bythe state at Buffalo and at Rochester have also proved tobe successful.We find that these small networks are complimentary to NYSILL;they do not sup- plant it but rather provide much improved service forthat considerable portion of interlibrary loan volume which does not requireservicing at the statewide leVel. The regional networks also represent a major step forward from the kinds of local system services previouslyprovided, due to the linkages to university collections.We have recommended, there- fore, that the two existing regional networks bepermanently funded. This report, Interlibrary Loan in New York State,departs from a strict review of thestate-funded projects in two ways. First, we have examined other interlibrary loan systems and resources, toestablish the framework in ctich NYSILL operates. Second, we have studied the im- plications of NYSILL's modifications of thetraditional procedures of interlibrary lending. Thus, this report attempts in part to evaluate NYSILL as a general informaticm system.Accordingly, it provides some tentative suggestions regarding the long-termimplications of such a perspective. Cur major findings and recommendations are summarized atthe outset of the report (pp.xiv-xxvi). In addition, a brief overview of the conclusions of the work, with particularattention to policy implica- tions for the State Library, is contained inChapter X (pp. 201-208). , MANAGEMENTCONSULTANTS CARLEADDRESS: NELSONCONS SCANCH OFFICE: WASHINGTON. B. C. s. Miss Jean L. Connor - 2 - February 28, 1969 It has been a privilege to perform this study for theState Library. We have received courteous attention and helpfulsuggestions from all of those contacted in the course of the work. In particular, we should acknowledge the assistance of theDivision of Library Devel- opment; of the staff of the Interlfbrary Loan Unit atthe State Library, which provided much of the data needed for our analyses; of theadminis- trators and librarians who managed the two regionalnetworks; and of other librarians throughout the state who shared their reactionsand suggestions about NYSILL's services with us. If we can assist you with the interpretation or dissemination of the contents of this report, we hope you will call upon us. Very truly yours, NELSON ASSOCIATES, INC. TABLE OF CONTENTS page Ii Summary of Findings xiv Summary of Recommendations =U. PART I THE BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY 1 Chapter I THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NYSILL NETWORK 2 The Role of the Federal Government in Library Development 2 The Role of the State of New York in Library Development 4 Public Library Systems in New York 4 The 3R.'s Program 5 NYSILL, Phase I 6 The New York State Facsimile Transmission Program 12 Further Developments in NYSILL 12 NYSILL, Phase II 13 The Experimental Regional Interlibrary Loan 15 Objectives of the Present Study 19 PART II THE CHARACTER. OF INFORMATION NEEDS IN NEW YORK 22 Chapter II INTERLIBRARY LOAN IN NEW YORK STATE: WHEREIT COMES FRaM, WHERE IT GOES 23 Estimating Total Volume 26 Different Types of Borrowing Libraries 27 Different Resource Institutions 30 NYSILL as a Resource: A Comparison with Overall Statewide Volume 33 Summary 35 Chapter III THE CHARACTER OF INTERLIBRARY LOAN REQUESTS IN NM YORK 36 Requests of Borrowing Libraries 36 Public Library Requests 36 Academic Library Requests 40 Medical Library Requests 40 Special Library Requests 49 Requests in NYSILL 49 Requests at the State Library 50 Requests at MILL Referral Libraries 50 Summary 51 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) 152,Sit PART III NYSILL, PHASE II: THE FALLt 1968, EXPERIENCE 64 Chapter IV THE NATURE OF NYSILL REQUESTS 65 A Brief Overview of NYSILL Volume and Performance 65 NYSILL Volume, Recent Experience and Future Expectation 65 Analyzing NYSILL: The Sample and Its Validity 68 An Overview of Outcomes for NYSILL 70 Patrons, Subjects, and Libraries: A Description of NYSILL Requests 76 Patron Status: Who Uses NYSILL? 77 Subjects: What Information Was Sought in NYSILL? 81 Originating Libraries: What Kinds of Institutions are Linked to NYSILL? 96 Other Descriptive Characteristics of NYSILL Loans 100 Summary: The Improvements in the NYSILL System 104 Chapter V THE OPERATION OF THE NYSILL NETWORK 106 The Request Itansmission Sites- 106 The"New York State Library and the Referral Libraries 113 Elapsed Times in NYSILL 120 The Costs of Operating the Referral Network 127 Summary 130 Chapter VI NYSILL AS A SYSTEM:A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS 133 PART IV IMPROVEMENTS AND INNOVATIONS IN INTERLIBRARY LOAN SERVICES 145 Chapter VII VARIATIONS ON NYSILL: REGIONAL NETWORKS AND taRECT ACADEMIC SERVICE 146 The Regional Interlibrary Loan Networks 146 Characteristics of Regional Requests 149 Processing Requests in the Regional Networks 159 Summary: The Future of Regionalism 165 Academic Interlibrary Loans and NYSILL: The Experiment in Direct Borrowing 166 I! TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) yarat Chapter VIII PROBLEMS IN THE OPERATIONOF NYSILL 174 Communication and Information Transferral in NYSILL 174 Verification of NYSILL Requests 174 Status Reports on Unfilled Requests 175 Management of the Referral Network 176 Delivering NYSILL Loans 176 II The Teletype and NYSILL 180 The Format of TeletypedRequests 182 The Need for Continuing Effort 184 ii Routing Interlibrary Loans Through NYSILL 185 Chapter IX NYSILL AND LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY 188 The Automation of NYSILL Operations 188 The Automation of the Referral Process 190 The Automation of Interlibrary Communications 193 Interfaces and Data Banks: Other Automation II Possibilities 194 "Exaggerated Claims": Automation, ILL, and NYSILL in the Long Run 196 Summary i 198. PART V .INTERLIBRARY LOAN IN.NEW YORK STATE 200 I ChapterX TEE ROLE OF THE NEWYORK STATELIBRARY 201 The Evaluation