Just in time Interlending - the ODL perspective

Abstract

In this paper the current Interlending situation is viewed from a South African Open Distance Learning (ODL) Library perspective, first sketching the development of interlending from the 20th Century to current ILL practices. Technologies in support of just in time delivery of interlibrary loans at the ODL Library are discussed. The results of a snapshot survey sent to South African libraries in February 2014 on Sabinet’s ILL listserve are considered to indicate how Library clients in South Africa view the importance of just in time interlibrary loans compared to the needs of clients in an ODL Library. Since Interlending in South Africa has mirrored international developments right up to OCLC’s Worldshare ILL, the paper will further discuss the characteristics of Worldshare ILL which has been used by some South African Libraries since August 2013. Benefits flowing from this system as experienced by the Unisa Library as an ODL Library in South Africa, will be highlighted.