The CIC Delivery of Non-Returnables Task Force (CIC DNR TF) was created in
November 2000 and its members are:
Nancy John, University of Illinois-Chicago
Lynn Wiley, University of Illinois--Urbana/Champaign
Rita Rogers, Indiana University
Anne Beaubien, University of Michigan, Chair
Jon Rothman, University of Michigan
Denise Forro, Michigan State University
Becky Ringwelski, University of Minnesota
Ellen Nagle, University of Minnesota Bio-Medical Library
Rosann Bazirjian, Pennsylvania State University
Tanner Wray, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Tom Peters, CIC HQ
Task Force Charges:
1)
Do an environmental scan of ILL management systems software. Be aware if
they can also handle campus document delivery services.
2)
Recommend an effective way to deliver non-returnables to the desktop of
the patron.
3) Identify the issues surrounding having the lending library deliver non-returnables directly to the patron at the borrowing institution rather than to the borrowing library.
Charge
#1 Environmental Scan of Stand
Alone
“Off The Shelf” ILL Management Systems Software
The
CIC Delivery of Non-Returnables Task Force was charged with doing an
environmental scan of stand alone “off the shelf” ILL management systems
software, with an awareness about whether they can also handle campus document
delivery services (Charge #1). Since the Interim Report (6/1/01) produced by the
Task Force, the committee has tracked software enhancements by remaining in
contact with vendors; requested and reviewed updated RFI responses from five
vendors (emphasizing new functionality); and checked vendor references for
selected vendors. The group has
identified the major ILL Management Systems Software vendors and the scope of
their products in our review.
With
the products not yet fully evolved and given the diverse environments within the
CIC library members, the Task Force cannot in the foreseeable future offer a
recommendation for one single ILL system. The
Task Force concludes that:
1.
There
does not yet exist any off the shelf ILL system that meets all the CIC
criteria.
2.
In the
CIC’s distributed environment, we believe that ISO compliance is one of the
most critical technical criteria to consider for future efficiencies and
savings.
We
believe that the best approach for CIC member libraries is three-pronged and
look forward to providing assistance to CIC libraries and the CIC Library
Directors in shaping the approach:
1.
Some CIC
libraries may wish to pursue a cooperative purchase and become involved in the
long-term development of a more complex system that appears poised to meet many
of our criteria. These systems
(such as Wings and VDX) are highly complex and appear likely to introduce near
term challenges in ILL production activities. However, CIC experience and
expertise will help provide for continued development of these systems that
offer a better potential to cooperate more effectively in our distributed
environment.
2.
Some CIC
libraries may wish to negotiate a group discount for the purchase of a system
available today that does not meet all of the CIC criteria but will improve
current ILL processes and save staff time. Both the RLG ILL Manager and ILLiad are in this group. Note:
ISO non-compliance remains a major concern for ILLiad.
3.
Some CIC
libraries have local circumstances that warrant delaying or not implementing one
of these ILL management software systems.
The Task Force has gained a thorough understanding of ILL management systems software and is available to act as a consulting group to any CIC library looking for information regarding the products reviewed.
Charge#2
Pilot Project for Electronic Desktop Delivery Directly to Borrowers
The CIC Delivery of Non-Returnables Task Force was charged to identify the issues in having the lending library deliver non-returnables directly to the patron at the borrowing institution rather than to the borrowing library. A subcommittee of the CIC DNR Task Force was set up to investigate these issues. This group developed a pilot project implemented in May 2001. The group tested the feasibility of a direct delivery process whereby documents made from an ILL photocopy request, were delivered directly to the borrowing institutions’ end user.
The
pilot project identified issues critical to the success of any direct delivery
transaction while also collecting data on the potential benefits. After one
month of testing involving six institutions and over 1200 actual transactions,
the group analyzed the outcomes and considered the possibility of continuing the
process. The group concluded that
the manual and error prone data input processes required canceled out the user
benefits realized and therefore elected to discontinue the direct delivery.
A
number of participating libraries adjusted internal workflow or added new
services based on the work completed in this project. A full report is being written up for publication likely to
be in press in 2002. The issues identified will be made available to the vendor
community in the publication once in press. More information may be obtained by
contacting the CIC DNR Task Force Chair, Anne Beaubien.
Charge#3 Desktop
Delivery Software
The completion of charge #2 (evaluate desktop delivery software) has been delayed pending the release and evaluation of Ariel 3.01. Ariel 3.01 was released October 1. After we install Ariel, we will evaluate it together with the other software options to provide desktop delivery (which will now include Clio).
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