Submitted by Marilyn Graves, Regional ILL Librarian, NOBLE, Danvers

ILL Still Going Strong!

When book budgets are cut, Interlibrary Loan is still an option. During hard times we usually see visits to libraries increase.

Regional ILL Centers Memorial Hall Library (Andover) Phone: 978-623-8401 x15 Fax: 978-623-8406 E-mail: region@mhl.org http://www.mhl.org/ill NOBLE (Danvers) Phone: 978-777-8844 Fax: 978-750-8472 E-mail: noble_ill_center@noblenet.org http://www.noblenet.org/ill

Here is one service that is still there for your patrons. Due to the new policies we have cut service in some areas but there are still many resources the ILL Centers can get for your patrons. The ILL Centers can still request books from libraries all across America. We can request AV items from Massachusetts's libraries. Periodical articles are still available from the Boston Public Library through their online form. Most lending fees are paid for by Regional funds. Regional funds cover loan costs up to $15 and costs rarely go over that amount. There is still no fee to have the lending library deliver the book to your library. Return shipping fees are $2.50 if the ILL Center returns the item or actual cost if the library returns it. Often the actual cost to mail a book is less than $2.50 so it may be a savings to check on the postage amount and compare this to the $2.50 charge.

Since the ILL Centers no longer request periodical articles there has been a drop in the total amount of requests received. The number of book requests is not significantly down but all in all the centers requests are down: NOBLE approximately 31% and Andover approximately 38%.

This is a good time for libraries to advertise and promote Interlibrary Loans. This can be done at the Reference Desk during a reference interaction or by paper forms anywhere it's appropriate. Libraries can also promote ILL through newsletters or on their websites. So in these difficult fiscal times the ILL Centers are open for business and still providing service for your patrons. It's a good time to remind patrons some services are still there for them. If there are any questions about what fees are covered or any aspect of this important service please contact the ILL Center that serves you.