Notes from Discussion Groups: Objective 6. Expand and coordinate document delivery services to facilitate use of both digital and analog information.
Group #2881
Facilitator: Nan Hyland
Note-taker: Pat Viele
LMT: Anne Kenney, Sarah Thomas
Attending: Janet Gillespie, Peter Hoyt, Susan LaCette, Richard Lightbody
- the current system is too complicated and too labor intensive
- an interim fix (or quick win) might be help screen or comparison chart to help patrons select the right option among ILS, Borrow Direct, MyDocument Delivery, etc.
- another suggestion for an interim fix would be a "wizard" to help patrons choose
- borrow direct is quick and costs the library less than traditional ILS
- one cannot renew an item from borrow direct
- we already offer library-to-library delivery
- library-to-office delivery will start soon
- The Law Library offers a Book and Copy Service for about 50 faculty members. If one submits a copy or loan request by noon, delivery is guaranteed by 5PM that same day. It is free, rather than fee based. The library employees students to run this service. If it is necessary to go to another library to copy an article, the student uses a pseudo-patron copy card. The program currently runs M-F. There has not been a cost/benefit analysis. JGSM offers a similar service.
- a service that might be added is public scanners so that a person could scan an article and email it to himself
- using Amazon.com to purchase books for people who request them and adding the item to the collection later was mentioned as good PR (ala Perdue system)
- it might help to develop a flow chart of the process (a decision tree?) to help patrons decide which service to use
- invest in making it easier for patrons to find materials in the on-line catalog
- googleize the catalog
- capture and analyze the "inappropriate" ILS requests (in this case, requests for materials that CUL owns)
- tie in Borrow Direct to Voyager -- the BD option would pop up if the item is not available at CUL
- form a task force including programmers, librarians, users (to gain their reactions), and technical people to help design the interface
- potential partners include Google Scholar, Amazon, and CU Press
- e-Reserves of CU Press books was suggested
- ways to assess progress include more circulating materials, lack of complaints, and possibly a cost/benefit analysis would show benefits
Additional comments provided after the meeting:
- Would love to see cut and paste as an option for ILS and Annex Request forms as it is for the reserve form. Many patrons have expressed dissatisfaction with the ILS and the Annex request forms.
- At the teleconference on The Importance of Teaching (Fri. Nov. 19th), two ways to help patrons learn systems were mentioned: webquest and Low Threshhold Applications. Perhaps one of those systems could be adapted to our use to help patrons sift through the complex systems for delivering materials.
- The Teaching, Learning and Technology Group offers free resources.
http://www.tltgroup.org/