Project Abstract

Abstract
The administration and leadership of Interlibrary Loan (ILL) departments, consortia, cooperatives, and networks play a crucial role in facilitating resource sharing and improving access to information for libraries and their users. This research project aims to explore the key components of effective administration and leadership in the context of ILL services, focusing on best practices, challenges, and opportunities for enhancement. The study will involve a comprehensive review of existing literature on ILL administration and leadership, including relevant theories, models, and case studies. By synthesizing the findings from these sources, the research aims to identify common themes and trends that can inform the development of a framework for successful ILL management. In addition to the literature review, the research will also include a series of interviews and surveys with professionals working in ILL departments, consortia, cooperatives, and networks. These data collection methods will provide valuable insights into the practical experiences and perspectives of those directly involved in managing ILL services. By incorporating these real-world perspectives, the research aims to ensure that the resulting framework is both theoretically sound and practically relevant. Key areas of focus for the study will include organizational structures and workflows, staff training and development, technology and automation, policy development and implementation, and assessment and evaluation. By examining these aspects of ILL administration and leadership in detail, the research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the key factors that contribute to successful resource sharing initiatives. Ultimately, the findings of this research project are expected to have practical implications for libraries and other information organizations involved in ILL activities. By highlighting best practices and potential areas for improvement, the research aims to support the ongoing development of effective and efficient ILL services. In doing so, the project seeks to contribute to the advancement of resource sharing and access to information for library users across diverse communities and institutions.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

The Routledge/Taylor & Francis peer-reviewed Journal of Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery & Electronic Reserve (JILDDER) has merged with Resource Sharing & Information Networks and is now accepting articles for Summer and Fall 2010 publication. Of particular interest to JILDDER are articles regarding resource sharing, unmediated borrowing, electronic reserve, cooperative collection development, shared virtual library services, digitization projects and other multi-library collaborative efforts including the following topics:

·       cooperative purchasing and shared collections

·       consortial delivery systems

·       shared storage facilities

·       administration and leadership of interlibrary loan departments, networks, cooperatives, and consortia

·       training, consulting and continuing education provided by consortia

·       use of interlibrary loan statistics for book and periodical acquisitions, weeding and collection management

·       selection and use of cutting-edge technologies and services used for interlibrary loan and electronic reserve, such as Ariel, Illiad, BlackBoard, Relais and other proprietary and open-source software

·       copyright and permission issues concerning interlibrary loan and electronic reserve

·       aspects of quality assurance, efficiency studies, best practices, library 2.0, the impact of Open WorldCat and Google Scholar, buy instead of borrow and practical practices addressing special problems of international interlibrary loan, international currency, payment problems, IFLA, and shipping

·       interlibrary loan of specialized library materials such as music, media, CDs, DVDs, items from electronic subscriptions and legal materials

·       special problems of medical, music, law, government and other unique types of libraries

·       new opportunities in interlibrary loan and the enhancement of interlibrary loan as a specialization