Public Education Campaign to Educate ILL Borrowers

Last year more than 3.8 millions books, CDs, DVDs, tapes and videos traveled through the statewide delivery system. This volume of items continues to rise as technology makes it easier for patrons to request books, DVDs and videos anytime, anywhere. Although managing this delivery puts tremendous pressure on the Regional Library Systems and local libraries that provide it, library patrons love the service. Borrowers, however, have no inkling of the process or the added value they receive each time they borrow material from a library that is not their own.

Given the choice between trying to reduce delivery volume or educate the public about the value of the service, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and Regional Library Systems have decided to educate users.

Beginning in January, the "This Item Traveled Miles to Reach You Project" aims to put a little information about the value of Inter Library Loan and delivery into the hands of users. With each book, DVD or video, a specially-designed ILL slip will be made available to all libraries using ILL that lists a place for the patron's name, telephone number and date called. By inserting the slip into the item, it is our goal "to help patrons understand that this service is performed by librarians across the state and is supported by tax dollars," says David Gray, MBLC Director of Communications & Public Information.

Bookmark samples: http://www.nmrls.org/news/ILL_Bookmarks.pdf