You may have heard that the State Library of WA is implementing changes to the delivery of Inter-Library Loans. The changes come into effect from 1 July 2023.
Inter-Library Loans play an important part of the library service for our community, and we are continuing to advocate for ongoing, easy access for all our library members.
Please be assured that we plan to continue our automated Inter-Library Loan services as usual, until further notice, whilst we work through the changes.
Under the new rules, Regional public libraries can request an item (if the item is not in their own collection) to meet user demand via the inter-library loans service if:
- the item is not available electronically
- the user is not able to engage with ebook/e-audio systems and/or devices
- the waitlist for the ebook/e-audio is unacceptably long for the user
We expect that you may experience:
- longer wait times
- non supply of items
… as always, we will do our best to satisfy all user requests from our community with patience and diligence.
Read on if you would like to see the guidelines provided by SLWA, and your options for providing feedback…
The guidelines from State Library are:
“From 1 July 2023, libraries are changing the way they fulfil user requests for items not held in their own collection. Instead of using the inter-library loans service as the first port of call, libraries will utilise more environmentally sustainable and cost efficient ways of accessing items for library users.
Users should not experience any tangible difference to the fulfilment of their requests.
Instead of seeking to borrow an item via inter-library loan, libraries will now access items not in their own collection in the following ways:
Accessing the item electronically via eresources
- For example, this may be an ebook or eaudio book through BorrowBox or Libby.
- If the item is not available electronically, a request to purchase the ebook can be made by the library …
If electronic format is not available or appropriate for the user, then libraries should purchase a print copy
- The item can then form part of the library’s collection and can be enjoyed by other library users.
If neither of these options are available or suitable, then the item can be requested via inter-library loan
- For example, items that are out of print or expensive to purchase may be borrowed from other libraries via inter-library loan …
These changes are being made to provide a more sustainable library service to the WA community. Significantly increasing freight costs and the environmental impact of transporting readily accessible materials around the state are no longer a viable or responsible use of public money.”
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If you wish to provide feedback regarding these changes, please contact:
- Your local State Member of Parliament, and/or
- Susan McEwan (Director Library Services, SLWA) on 9427 3175 or email: susan.mcewan@slwa.wa.gov.au
