Inter-library Loans (ILLs)
The new Inter-Library Loans (ILLs) module is now available for Heritage versions 4.2.5 and above. A key feature of the module is that it supports the ILL procedures and formats specified by the British Library Document Supply Centre and will automate ILL requests from the British Library using their ARTEmail system.
ILL requests will initially be logged in Heritage exclusively by library staff, but in the next upgrade to Heritage Online it will be possible for end-users to request items directly (with or without moderation from library staff). Heritage will then generate an ILL request email in ARTEmail format and send it directly to the British Library. A copyright declaration form can be printed and signed by the requester if necessary. The corresponding reply email sent by the British Library is then detected by Heritage and automatically logged on the Heritage ILL records.
Readers will be able to track the progress of their ILL requests and cancel outstanding requests (if there is a problem in supply) via their Heritage Online reader information screen. ILL items which need to be returned to the British Library are sent to the library and then issued to the reader via the Heritage circulation system. Photocopies or electronic documents can be delivered directly to the reader if preferred; in this case the library is separately notified of the document delivery. The ILL module includes the facility to charge readers (both for the cost of the requested service itself and for a local library administration charge), and also to set limits on how many concurrent ILLs are allowed for readers belonging to different reader categories. The range of services available and the charges to the reader can be varied between reader categories.
Statistics for ILLs can be generated via the Heritage reporter. This means that is will be possible to produce reports such as the number of requests per week/month or per department. Inter-library loan records can also be searched to check if users have already been supplied with specific items, and details of all their previous ILL requests can be accessed (particularly useful if the reader wishes to revive a cancelled request or order duplicates).
Summary of features:
- Automates many of the processes involved when requesting items from the British Library using ARTEmail
- Includes fax and letter templates for sending requests to other libraries, and copyright declarations forms
- Optional charging facility
- Readers can track progress of requests
- Items can be delivered directly to readers
- Limits can be set on the number of requests allowed for different categories of reader
- Inter-library loans records can be searched to check if a user has previously requested an item
- Statistics can be compiled on ILL usage
For further information please contact .