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In Minnesota, we are working remotely and there have been enormous changes to our workflow in the last several weeks. In some cases, the interlibrary loan systems we use may be able to help us streamline our new processes. Here is some information about how various systems are handling specific details in our work.

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In Minnesota, we are working remotely and there have been enormous changes to our workflow in the last several weeks. In some cases, the interlibrary loan systems we use may be able to help us streamline our new processes. Here is some information about how various systems are handling specific details in our work.

VDX
For books, Minitex staff are reporting, “Delivery time not possible.”  This will continue until we are able to safely ship and receive physical items again. A task force is working on developing safe handling of physical materials when that process resumes.

Alma
Books are being rejected in Alma. Lenders should use "Other" as a reason when rejecting a request. Minitex is not adding additional notes that would need to be viewed on the borrowing end.  This will be used until physical delivery can be safely resumed.

OCLC 
OCLC libraries should be aware of some new information that will impact their processes in the current ILL environment. 

Renewal requests originating from an OCLC library are currently being given an April 30th due date by Minitex staff. This does not apply to the University of Minnesota items (which get the typical three-month extension).

Lenders:If your library cannot lend anything, change your status to non-supplier in the OCLC Policies Directory. If you are still lending, remain a supplier and read on for how to alert others to your current lending policies.

Deflection: If you cannot ship from your physical collection, set up a temporary deflection for all loan requests. It is not necessary to specify every format and group. This deflection will apply to all loan requests

Delivery time not possible:This report means that the lending library has this title/volume you need in print, and does not have access to the print collection to scan what is requested. 

OCLC has set up two new profiled groups - ACOV and BCOV. To add your library to one of these groups, please visit: oc.lc/covgroups

ACOV  
These lenders can supply article requests electronically, what they can supply is indicated by the days to respond.  

  • 16 days to respond for loans: Can supply articles from print and e-serials
  • 20 days to respond for loans: Can supply articles from e-collections only

BCOV

  • Lenders who can supply e-books (as copy requests)

DOCLINE
From the National Library of Medicine for DOCLINE libraries: 

To assist libraries in locating lenders that have access to their print collection, DOCLINE’s Search Libraries now offers a Print Resources Available filter. 

When selected, this filter shows only libraries that have indicated physical collection access.  The Libraries Search filter uses a new checkbox, added to the DOCLINE Library Profile which allows lenders to indicate whether they have access to their print collection.  

NOTE: *The DOCLINE Routing Algorithm has NOT been updated to include “Print Resources Available”. *  This new indicator is presently set to NO for all DOCLINE libraries. If you have physical collection access and can ‘fill from print’, PLEASE UPDATE your DOCLINE Library Profile. 

To update your “Print Resources Available” status:

  • From the Libraries menu, choose Manage Library
  • Scroll to Lend Information>Loaning Policies and click Edit
  • Check Print Resources Available and click Update Library

Updates to all systems will be shared as they become available.
 

Written by

Carol Nelson
Resource Sharing Manager
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