Interlending and document supply trends in NHS North West health libraries 2003/2004 to 2006/2007.
Glover, Steven W Addison, John Gleghorn, Colette Aalai, Elham Annis, Shan
Glover, Steven W
Addison, John
Gleghorn, Colette
Aalai, Elham
Annis, Shan
Citations
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Abstract
Background: The Library and Information for Health Network North West (LIHNN) represents health libraries in Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Isle of Man, Lancashire, Merseyside and Wirral. LIHNN members take part in a regional co-operative network supporting interlending and document supply. Methods: Data were analysed over a 4-year period to identify trends and patterns. In addition, a literature review was conducted to compare trends seen in NHS libraries to those trends seen in other sectors and in other countries. Results/trends: Between 2003/2004 and 2006/2007 there was a significant drop in document supply activity reported by NHS North West libraries from 59 321 to 37 134 copies, representing a fall of 37.4%. During the same period, lending between libraries stayed constant. Discussion: The NHS supplies a significant number of documents to its users and it is investigating a number of options to increase efficiencies. The observed fall in document supply activity has been reported in several sectors and has been attributed to a number of cofactors. Although the fall in document supply activity is expected to continue, a critical mass of information is likely to remain behind subscription barriers and this, in turn, will necessitate supply from external sources.
Description
Date
2009-03
Publisher
Collections
Keywords
Document Supply
North West
National Health Service
North West
National Health Service
Type
Article
Citation
Interlending and document supply trends in NHS North West health libraries 2003/2004 to 2006/2007. 2009, 26 (1):32-8 Health Info Libr J