ILL, a dying breed or a new brand? The experience of Edinburgh University

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to examine the trend of interlibrary loans (ILLs) through the experiences of Edinburgh University Library (EUL). A preliminary study aims to consider how the purchase of one e-journal package impacted on the number of ILL requests processed. Design/methodology/approach – The article describes the experience of EUL. Findings – The article finds that total ILLs, both returnables and non-returnables, rose to a peak in 1998 and have declined significantly since then. Full desk-top delivery has not yet been achieved, but this is in the forefront of the library's strategy. Originality/value – The paper gives a detailed insight into the impact of e-journals and other factors on the use of the document supply service for both returnables and non-returnables in a large UK university.