By Rosario Garza
OCLC Adds to ILL Management Statistics
The OCLC ILL Management Statistics files contain new data that can be of great use
to a library's borrowing operation. OCLC is now including data that indicates the
position of the lender symbol (out of the five that are possible) on a filled request.
The field includes a number from one to five. The number "one" indicates that the
library that filled the item was in the first position; the number "five" indicates the
fifth position. This is a simple yet powerful piece of information the library can use
almost immediately.
By sorting the field, the user can see how many of a library's actual lenders were in
the first, second, etc., positions. For example, if your library's ILL Management
Statistics files show numerous "fives," you may need to work on your Custom
Holdings choices or on your selection of lenders. If your library's statistics show
numerous "ones," your lender selection is on target. Review libraries in the third and
fourth positions. Perhaps they should be moved up in your library's Custom Holdings.
Once you make these changes, you should expect to see improved turnaround time.
If you have questions about the ILL Management Statistics or Custom Holdings,
contact Bonnie Robinson at BCR.
