Virtual Library courier service to boost interlibrary loans

Citizens across the Commonwealth now have more timely and reliable delivery of interlibrary loans, thanks to a free ground courier service provided by the Kentucky Commonwealth Virtual Library.

The KCVL negotiated the contract on behalf of 182 of the state?s public and educational institution libraries. The service went into effect Aug. 3.

The library-to-library delivery service makes it possible for a resident serviced by a small library to request a book or resource from a larger library and have it delivered to the requesting library in as little as 24 hours.

"This is one of the KCVL initiatives to make information resources easily and quickly accessible to all Kentuckians," explained Ling-yuh W. (Miko) Pattie, the director of the KCVL.

Prior to the contract, some libraries had to set limits on the number of interlibrary loans or pass the cost on to the consumer because they were confined by their own budgets to pay shipping costs.

Jackie Griffitts, assistant library director of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library in West Liberty, said the courier service allowed her library to lift the $1 fee assessed on interlibrary loans.

With this service all citizens will have quick and easy access to collections housed in Kentucky libraries, and that, said Pattie, is a key benefit of the service.

"So many of our libraries are exclusive repositories for regional and local content-rich collections. Residents remote from those libraries now have greater access to these wonderful treasures," Pattie said.

While a brief adjustment period to synchronize pick-up and delivery schedules is anticipated, the goal is overnight delivery to the local library most convenient to the patron requesting the materials. However, some smaller libraries have pick-up and delivery two or three times a week, which is still more expedient than prior to the contract.

Helen Williams, the director of the Rowan County Public Library in Morehead, said she appreciates having the service.

"It's just wonderful for us and our patrons," said Williams. "We will be able to really encourage the use of interlibrary loans."

At Madisonville Technical College, Library Director Jackie Calvert said she anticipates that this service will also increase public library use.

"This is a boost to all our libraries in the state. We will be able to provide more resources to our patrons which should increase library use overall," explained Calvert.

The KCVL is a part of the Kentucky Commonwealth Virtual University and is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Through the KCVL, Kentuckians can access more than 30 electronic databases with close to 5,000 full-text journal and newspaper titles and online library catalogs with nearly 10 million volumes housed in Kentucky libraries.

Residents can also request scanned journal articles to be delivered electronically.

For more information, visit the KCVL at its web site at www.kcvl.org or call the library?s call center toll-free at 1-877-740-4357, Monday- Friday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Contact:
Sue Patrick, KYVU
(502) 573-1555
sue.patrick@kyvu.org

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