[ILL-L] DVD's & Videos--To Lend or Not to Lend that is the ques....

Thu Aug 16 10:20:57 EDT 2007

Hi,

There is a reason why some library's AV policies, such as Princeton's, are
more restrictive.  Video formats are heavily used in classes, and our
faculty expect that the items will be available when they require them.  We
loan DVDs and VHS with the following restrictions:  1-weeks use,
Library-Use-Only, no renewals and return via a trackable courier (I.e. UPS,
FEDEX, DHL).   By placing these restrictions we are making our collection
available in a scenario where an item can be returned quickly if it's needed
locally.  Our three week loan period permits two weeks travel (in both
directions) and 1-week's use.  We seek agreement to these restrictions in a
conditional message before we process the loan and tape an orange slip
listing them as well on the DVD/VHS case.  As we ship UPS no item should
take more than one week to arrive.   

In an ideal world, we would all be able to loan all formats without
restrictions.  However, the ILL office is not always the sole determinant of
a policy as many of you have been so eloquently stating for years in regards
to your policies on new books, microfilm/fiche, A-V, etc.  

Best wishes,

Jennifer Block
Interlibrary Services Librarian
Princeton University
One Washington Road
Princeton, New Jersey  08544-2098
Phone:  609-258-5704
FAX:     609-258-0441
Ariel IP: 128.112.205.74
Email:  jblock at princeton.edu

  _____  

From: ill-l-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:ill-l-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Paul Drake
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 6:17 PM
To: 'Interlibrary Loan Listserv'
Subject: RE: [ILL-L] DVD's & Videos--To Lend or Not to Lend that is the
ques....

Hi Jody,

My biggest issue with lending DVDs and videos is the limited number of
libraries that reciprocate. Our turnaround time for av borrowing requests is
more than double the turnaround time for books. Our fill rate is noticeably
lower. The other service issue is that some libraries have a much shorter
loan period with no renewal. We received three loans this spring with 1 week
due dates and no renewals - all arrived after the due date and the lending
library denied our request for more time, even after sending emails to
explain the slow delivery and our inability to use the item.

We loan av for the same amount of time and allow one renewal - just as with
books. When I implemented ILL of av at two other libraries, we made the ILL
loan periods the same as book loans, even though av loan periods were
sometimes shorter for our primary clientele. We did that in the spirit of
resource sharing, and to simply our ILL notice system in ILL (these were
pre-CLIO and ILLiad days).

Packaging does take a little extra effort. Okay, so we got used to it. At an
academic library, with a regular change in student assistance, we have to
closely monitor their efforts, and sadly some bad packaging may escape our
scrutiny.

When we discovered a library that was routinely a poor packager, we can
always say NO to future loans. There is no need to deny every library
because of a few problem locations.

Damages are not noticeably greater. Our circ system retains record of the
previous borrower, so we can track it back if needed. We give av loans and
returns the same quick quality check. Some of our books are returned with
highlighting or penciling - can we be sure that the lending library was
responsible?

Empty cases don't seem to happen any more often than getting only 1 volume
of a multivolume book loan returned. 

The benefits far outweigh the actual negatives. There are ADA benefits.
Students have different learning styles. There are loads of informational
and technical materials available only in video. I had a graduate student
borrow Ozzie and Harriet; Happy Days, and One day at a Time videos, not for
Saturday night entertainment, but to examine how society viewed the family.
I started a personal project this spring of asking some of our international
students for movie titles from their country. My intent is to learn more of
their country's culture. None of these materials are available at the local
public library.

Fortunately, another library helped us with all these needs by supplying av.

I work in a Library has that the following at the beginning of its mission
statement: The Library's mission is to provide access to information, such
as is contained in media including but not limited to books, journals,
photographs, digital audio/visual media and databases; and other information
services, such as but not limited to search strategy tutoring, supporting
software, and ."

How could the Library provide access to these formats without borrowing and
lending av? 

Your concerns are worth investigating. I hope the listserv can help you in
your investigation.

Paul Drake

McNeese State University (LHA)

Lake Charles LA

  _____  

From: ill-l-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:ill-l-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Mantell, Jody
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 4:15 PM
To: Interlibrary Loan Listserv
Cc: Steele, Martha M
Subject: [ILL-L] DVD's & Videos--To Lend or Not to Lend that is the ques....

We are currently "considering" changing our policy to start lending DVD's
and videos.  Could some of you share with me that do lend these types of
items what kind of problems you run into if any with these kinds of loans.
I assume you would have a shorter checkout period with no renewals.  My main
concern is for damages or loss -- I would imagine it would be difficult to
blame damages on the borrower, since it is unlikely anyone has the staff or
time to check each DVD unless you just see some glaring scratch, even then I
think it would difficult to lay blame.  Loss yes, scratches?

Appreciate your time and suggestions!~Jody

Jody Mantell
ILL Supervisor 
Interlibrary Loan~Document Delivery Team 
Neumann Library 
University of Houston-Clear Lake 
mantelljody at uhcl.edu 
Phone:  281-283-3906 
Ariel:    arielrecv.uhcl.edu 
Fax:       281-283-3907 
UHC 

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