Abstract

This paper focuses on the ILL aspects of a larger project investigating the continued availability of items identified in a 1991 bibliography (Dillard). For this stage of the research, the particular focus was on obtaining various theses and dissertations, as well as books and sheet music items. As Lowry (2006) noted, especially in the humanities and social sciences, the majority of dissertation and thesis research has traditionally not resulted in further publication, with only about 10% of this work being republished in other forms. This means that the original works are the only source of this research, and therefore there is a need for continued access.

While aggregated databases such as ProQuest Dissertation and Theses Global provide instant full text access in many cases, other items are only available for separate purchase through the database, by borrowing through ILL channels, for download from individual institutional repositories, or for viewing in the library of the degree-granting institution (Smith, 2023). There are also issues in identifying more recent dissertation and theses research as there is no one universal source, but rather a proliferation of different directories and research databases where they may be listed, or they may only be listed within a single institutional repository (Center for Research Libraries, n.d.).

Despite the many difficulties encountered, one theme emerged from these retrieval endeavors: the importance of personal communication in overcoming barriers and ensuring access to materials. This paper highlights the different ways in which establishing communication promoted understanding firstly between the ILL librarian and the researcher, and then at each stage of the borrowing process, resulting in mostly successful transactions. Communication was able to overcome barriers of the borrowing institution’s ILL policy that previously prevented successful transactions; it enabled navigation through complex and multi-stage digitization requests involving international universities and national libraries; it enabled direct digitization and electronic delivery of items at no cost to the borrower; and it enabled identification and retrieval of items from institutional repositories.

Keywords: Interlibrary loan, barriers to access, scholarly communications, digital humanities, library technology systems, academic libraries

How to Cite:

Smith, A. J. & Velasquez, D., (2023) “Beyond the software: The importance of personal communication to ensure access in complex ILL and other borrowing transactions”, Kansas Library Association College and University Libraries Section Proceedings 1(2023). doi: https://doi.org/10.4148/2160-942X.1090