[ILL-L] Reasons for No

[Robinson, Arthur]

"Not on shelf" is very useful.  Last fall we paid $15 to borrow a book because the only free lender replied "Not on shelf"; recently the patron requested the same book again, but this time it had apparently turned up at the one free library, so we got it from them.  On another occasion, I tried every library in the country that had a book without success, but one replied "Not on shelf" (and changed their catalog record to "Missing" or some such); I checked their online catalog periodically, and eventually we did get it--a mere 27 months after the patron originally requested it.  Another example of our lightning-fast ILL service.
 
"Missing" books are not always lost causes.  Every year, while weeding or looking for something else, I find books that are misshelved (D books in the P's and the like) or have fallen into the gap behind the shelf; I check our online catalog and sometimes find the book listed as "MISSING" or "LOST," which always gives me a sense of accomplishment.
 
Arthur Robinson (GLG)
"We are little lost books that have gone astray, Baaa!  Baaa!  Baaa!"
 
 

________________________________

From: ill-l-bounces at webjunction.org on behalf of Laura Barnard
Sent: Wed 9/3/2008 12:38 PM
To: Interlibrary Loan Listserv
Subject: RE: [ILL-L] Reasons for No



As a borrower, I will go back to a library that says 'not on shelf' if no other option remains.  It is not uncommon to get the item the second or third time I ask for it; it may not have been there the first time, or the retirever may not have been as thorough the first time.  If I get that same reply several times, I then I assume it means unavailable.


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