(2020-07-17) Decker, Emy Nelson; Arthur, Michael A.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
If an item is not readily available in an academic library’s collection, is it quicker to buy it or
does is make better sense to borrow it? At a public, four-year institution, Acquisitions and ILL
are exploring a new relationship to improve the users’ experience. The question is determining
what triggers the decision to borrow versus buy an item. The exploration is born of the institution’s ongoing migration from a traditional to a demand driven based collections strategy.
This article will elucidate how Acquisitions and ILL can work together to effectively deliver
what users need when they need it.