Specific Facet First

A specific facet first search begins with the term which will yield the smallest number of hits and moves out successively with an increased number of retrievals. I used Project Muse for this search and began with interlibrary loan policy.

Specific Facet Search

Again, this database may have been better used with a different type of search. As we have discussed in class though, a typical searcher would try different searches on a database when result expectations were not met. Since my topic is so firmly based in the library field, a database focusing on library science is the best choice for the search. However, it would be possible to branch out the topic to look at Web 2.0 technology and its use in communication and education by schools and companies to see what ideas may be translated to libraries. Without a background in either of these fields though, I did not feel comfortable branching out beyond my area of knowledge. This would be true of the typical searcher too though. They may be lead into different fields by doing a different search and following them to related hits.

Building block search

A building block search takes an initial search and builds on it by refining. I selected JSTOR database.
Building Block Search

An inital search of interlibrary loan and policies retrieved no results. I did a new search on resource sharing and libraries. While this search did not retrieve the results I expected, I was able to find a few results pertaining to access to digital resources, a topic relevant to interlibrary loan. Perhaps a different type of search would have yielded better results.

Web page competency

Searching for an informative web page on interlibrary loan policies brings up a plethora of results for the thousands of public libraries that offer this service. While there are some informative examples from these results, there were too many pages to sort through to find the one page that would convey this topic the best. There are two authorities for interlibrary loan; one is WorldCat or OCLC and the ALA. WorldCat is used by librarians and patrons to locate materials in other libraries while the ALA actually develops policies for participating interlibrary loan libraries. Since my focus has been in educating patrons on the uses and procedures of interlibrary loan, the resources of WorldCat is the most informative resource for helping users find what they need.

WorldCat connects users to libraries by displaying libraries nearby where the item can be located. Information can also be accessed from partner commercial sites like LibraryThing and AbeBooks. Library websites also offer links to WorldCat as a research tool and as a platform for patron-initiated interlibrary loan. Selected from Google.com 8/1/09
http://www.worldcat.org

Citation Pearl Growing

A citation pearl search begins with the retrieval of a specific title from a database. Using the subject or keyword terms provided for that title, users can find other items related to their topic. For this search, I began with a search in WorldCat.org for the title I found in the LibraryThing competency.

Citation pearl

This search did not yield a great variety of hits either because I was only looking at books or because the topic has not been widely covered. I have not fully used WorldCat to search for articles because this feature has only been added to the database in the past few years, but it would be interesting to see what would be retrieved.

While the titles retrieved were focused on national and library policies and best practices, it would be useful for a public access staff person to be able to explain policies to patrons.

Successive Fraction Search

A successive fraction search begins with a search for a broad topic, then narrows down successively to the smallest possible result. I did my search in the ASP database.

I began with interlibrary loan:
Successive Fraction

This was an interesting search to do because I had never really done one to this extent before. I was able to narrow down the search to one hit, but I am not sure that this would be very useful for doing research. Typically, a searcher wants a variety of articles to choose from so that they would stop after the first two refinements. However, if the articles selected either did not meet the research need or further refinement was needed to focus the topic, it would be useful to narrow it down to that extent. And it may not always be possible to narrow a search down to one hit with other topics.

Multimedia

There is no one image that encapsulates interlibrary loan and any graphic logo is copyrighted by the library using it. This image of the woman in the red wig wearing a placard is dressed as an ILL book with a yellow slip. I chose this image because it is a clever way to create awareness of ILL and to have fun as well.

UCI Staff. (October 31, 2007). The Fearsome Interlibrary Loan Book. Posted on Flikr.com. Retrieved from Google.com. http://flickr.com/photos/51799074@N00/1812001852

LibraryThing Tags

Genealogy(1) Interlibrary Loan(1) Library science

http://www.librarything.com/work/3517399
I selected Interlibrary Loan Sources: A Guide for Librarians and Genealogists
by Mid-Continent Public Library.

I had expected to only find guides and best practices for ILL librarians, so it was a nice surprise to find that this book also includes tips for genealogists. Genealogy is a popular hobby these days and there are many challenges in trying to fill requests for these titles. It would be very helpful both for librarians and patrons to have access to such a guide to help us help them. While it may not be necessary to have a guide for all types of requests, I think that this publication is a great idea.

Resource Sharing RSS Feed

To the right is the RSS feed for OCLC Resource Sharing. Resource Sharing is the term used for the interlibrary loan services offered through OCLC. OCLC WorldCat links national and international library catalogs so that patrons can connect to materials not available in their home libraries.

While not strictly limited to public libraries, OCLC Resource Sharing is widely used by many public libraries so that they can offer interlibrary loan for their patrons. The feed would be useful mainly for ILL practitioners, but has the potential for offering information to patrons as well.

Abilene Public Library Podcast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICeahJlNVQQ

Abilene Public Library Podcast on ILL accessed from YouTube 6/20/07

This Podcast illustrates the process for patrons to place ILL book requests. As an ILL practitioner, I am frequently asked by patrons how to request materials. A podcast like this one would be helpful because it would show the patrons exactly how to place a request and point out different features that are important for them to note. It is difficult to point these items out over the phone or email; the podcast points them out as though you were actually there at the patron’s side while they are placing the request. This video was especially of interest to me as it is from another Texas public library which we often do business with in our department.

Source: Abilene Public Library (Producer). (2008, January 22). Interlibrary Loan: a How to Guide [Episode 2]. APL Library’s Videos. Podcast retrieved from http://www.youtube.com

Blog Competency

http://illrocks.blogspot.com/ retrieved from Yahoo search via Internet Explorer 6/9/09.

This blog illustrates the use of such a tool in conveying policies and procedures to the public in an interesting way. The following is one such post:

“Thursday, January 17, 2008

Myth #7: "I didn't know that _______" is an all-purpose excuse

Fact: Patrons come up with all sorts of excuses for returning items late, in the bookdrop, or just generally not following the instructions that come with an interlibrary loan. The one that irks me the most is the amalglam of "I didn't know that _____" or "I didn't read that ______" or "I assumed that _____."

Excuse #1: "I didn't know that I couldn't return ILL items in the bookdrop."

Allow me to quote from the Interlibrary Loan Patron Responsibility Agreement, which all patrons are required to sign when picking up an interlibrary loan item:

"I understand that this loan represents a special service and that my obligation is to return these items on time and to the REFERENCE DESK of the library where I picked it up. I will not return it via the bookdrops." [italics mine]

Failure to read what you are signing does not absolve you of responsibility for the item.

Excuse #2: "I didn't know the due date was different from CCPL items - I thought I had a month."

The due date for interlibrary loan items is stamped upon the yellow band in red ink to make it very prominent. The Main reference desk staff (at least when I'm around) make a point of showing the patron the due date, and showing the patron the phone number for asking for renewals.

Again, failure to note this date does not absolve you from late fines.

Excuse #3: "I didn't know the yellow band had to stay on the item."

And the big black bold letters that say "DO NOT REMOVE THIS STRIP" are not there for decorative purposes. The yellow band contains information to help interlibrary loan staff match the item with the lender's paperwork to return to that library. It also contains information for patrons, including the due date and contact information for interlibrary loan. It also serves as a flag to our circulation departments if the item is accidentally mixed with CCPL items.

If the band is removed, and the item is returned in the bookdrop or in a pile of CCPL items, our circulation departments will route the item to our Administration office for courtesy returns. The ILL department is in an entirely different part of the building, and does not see these items.

Failure to follow instructions is does not absolve you from responsibility for interlibrary loan items.

CCPL staff - help us out by reminding patrons that the yellow band needs to stay on the items, and by pointing out the helpful information on the band. Maybe if we say it often enough, we can educate our public.

Posted by LindaS at 6:00 PM 0 comments

Source

S., Linda. (2008, October 21). Myth #8: People Read this Blog J. Message posted to http://illrocks.blogspot.com/. Retrieved from Yahoo search via Internet Explorer 6/9/09.

Blog intro.

The purpose of this blog is as a platform for us to post our findings and assignments related to our class. I am interested in exploring interlibrary loan in public libraries and what tools or tips exist for educating users about what the program is and how to use it. Interlibrary loan technology has improved over the past five years with the introduction of the ILLiad software leading to an increase in patron use, but the program is still largely understood by both patrons and librarians outside the ILL department. If ILL is to continue to grow into a more integral part of library service, librarians and library staff will need to know more about how things work so that they can educate the public.