How does DOCLINE routing work?

Here's a quick guide to how DOCLINE routes requests to lenders:

1. Route to LIBID (if entered) ("prefixing")

Holdings are checked for the entered LIBID, but will route regardless of holdings.
The routing algorithm will only route a request to a library IF

the selected preferred network delivery method OR one of the network alternate delivery methods is supported by that institution AND
the institution is an active DOCLINE participant at the time of routing AND
the institution is not in the borrower's Do Not Route to List AND
the institution provides the selected level of service (if above Normal) AND
the institution provides color copy service (if selected) AND
the institution is an EFTS participant (if selected).

Note: Selecting an individual library to "Route to" should not be necessary in most cases. If your requests are frequently not routing to preferred lenders, review your routing table with the DOCLINE Coordinator.

2. Routing Table (using cells selected)

The routing algorithm will randomly route a request to a library IF

the selected preferred network delivery method is supported by that institution AND
that institution reports owning either the volume or year of the title AND
the institution's holdings are in the requested physical format (if Electronic or Text selected) AND
the institution is an active DOCLINE participant at the time of routing AND
the institution is not in the borrower's Do Not Route to List AND
the institution provides the selected level of service (if above Normal) AND
the institution provides color copy service (if selected) AND
the institution is an EFTS participant (if selected) AND
the institution’s holdings are not embargoed (if Electronic);
Then if less than 20 libraries matched for routing,
the institution supports one of the network alternate delivery methods selected AND
conditions 2-9 are met.
Then repeat for cell 2, cell 3, etc.

3. Resource Libraries (if selected)

The routing algorithm will randomly route to a maximum of 20 Resource Libraries. A request will only route to a Resource Library IF

the selected preferred network delivery method is supported by that institution AND
that institution reports holding either the volume or year of the title AND
the institution's holdings are in the requested physical format (if Electronic or Text selected) AND
the institution is an active DOCLINE participant at the time of routing AND
the institution is not in the borrower's Do Not Route to List AND
the institution provides the selected level of service (if above Normal) AND
the institution provides color copy service (if selected) AND
the institution is an EFTS participant (if selected) AND
the institution’s holdings are not embargoed (if Electronic) AND
the request did not previously route to institution;
Then if less than 20 libraries matched for routing,
the institution supports one of the network alternate delivery methods selected AND
conditions 2-10 are met.

4. NLM (if selected)

NLM holdings are not checked.
Request will route to the National Library of Medicine IF

Route to NLM checked AND
NLM provides the level of service selected AND
NLM is an active DOCLINE participant at the time of routing.

5. All Other Libraries (if selected)

The routing algorithm will randomly route a request to a maximum of 20 additional libraries. The algorithm checks Primary Access Libraries, then "Other" Libraries. A request will randomly route to a library IF

the selected preferrered network delivery method is supported by that institution AND
that institution reports holding either the volume or year of the title AND
the institution's holdings are in the requested physical format (if Electronic or Text selected) AND
the institution is an active DOCLINE participant at the time of routing AND
the institution is not in the borrower's Do Not Route to List AND
the institution provides the selected level of service (if above Normal) AND
the institution provides color copy service (if selected) AND
the institution is an EFTS participant (if selected) AND
the institution’s holdings are not embargoed (if Electronic) AND
the request did not previously route to institution;
Then if less than 20 Primary Access Libraries matched for routing,
the institution supports one of the network alternate delivery methods selected AND
conditions 2-10 are met;
Then if less than 20 Libraries matched for routing,
Repeat steps 1-11 for "Other" libraries (library level = Other).

Note: Delivery methods are not checked in the routing of an Original (loan) request since these are all assumed to be “Mail” delivery.

Routing by M/A/N Map (Monograph, A/V or Manual Requests):

1. LIBIDs on Routing Instructions page.

Holdings are not checked.
Request is routed sequentially by Row (1-9) to the institutions designated IF

LIBID is valid AND
The selected preferred network delivery method OR one of the network alternate delivery methods is supported by that institution AND
the institution is an active DOCLINE participant at the time of routing AND
the institution provides the selected level of service (if above Normal) AND
the institution provides color copy service (if selected) AND
the institution is an EFTS participant (if selected).

2. NLM (if selected)

NLM holdings are not checked.
Request will route to NLM IF

Route to NLM checked AND
NLM provides the level of service selected AND
NLM is an active DOCLINE participant at the time of routing.

Note: Delivery methods are not checked in the routing of an Original (loan) request since these are all assumed to be “Mail” delivery.

Remember that you can establish default values for your routing instructions in the Borrowing Preferences of your institution record. Select Institutions from the DOCLINE main menu, and then click Update (LIBID) to edit your institution's information. Click on DOCLINE Options in the sidebar on the left. Make changes to the fields under Borrowing Preferences. Click SAVE.

Last Reviewed: May 8, 2018