NLM Interlibrary Loan Service: Two Changes Effective January 1, 2018

[Editor's note added December 28, 2017: The new NLM interlibrary loan resource sharing program through the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) has been delayed until after January 1, 2018. We will provide notice when a new 2018 implementation date is determined and when resource sharing through OCLC is available. Until then, DOCLINE and the NLM ILL Web Portal remain as options for borrowing from NLM. See the announcement, NLM Resource Sharing Availability via OCLC Delayed.]

In addition to using the National Library of Medicine (NLM) DOCLINE system, libraries can soon send interlibrary loan (ILL) requests to NLM via Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), saving libraries already using OCLC time and effort by integrating these requests into their existing workflows. The change gives libraries wanting to borrow materials from NLM three possible avenues for placing requests: DOCLINE, OCLC, and the NLM ILL Request Portal. DOCLINE, which has served medical libraries in the National Network of Libraries of Medicine since 1985, efficiently routed more than one million ILL requests in Fiscal Year 2017. As a national library, NLM will continue to serve as a library of last resort for ILL, meaning that libraries should first try to fill requests from local or regional libraries before submitting them to NLM.

In addition, NLM will raise the fee for filling an interlibrary loan request from $9.00 to $12.00. The long overdue price increase will help keep the NLM ILL service a national leader and ensure that NLM can continue to deliver efficient service and maintain a fast turnaround time to complete incoming requests.