Today in Italy, interlibrary loan and document delivery are important elements in the strategic plans of most libraries. Their growing importance is a reflection of the increasing…
Abstract
Today in Italy, interlibrary loan and document delivery are important elements in the strategic plans of most libraries. Their growing importance is a reflection of the increasing number of Italian OPACs and the development of the National Library System (SBN). More Italian libraries offer efficient ILL services through the use of electronic mail, easy payment methods, clearly stated ILL policies on their Web pages and request forms linked to OPAC records. Many problems still remain, however. These stem from a lack of a national, centralised ILL system and from the heterogeneity of the various local and regional library networks.
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Anna Vaglio and Manuela D'Urso
This paper aims to describe the changes taking place at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, after the introduction of a new automated system, and to propose the integration of the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe the changes taking place at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, after the introduction of a new automated system, and to propose the integration of the work of the Document Supply (DS) and the Circulation Departments with radical changes in the job descriptions of both.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is descriptive in nature.
Findings
Automation has led to process changes but not yet to the staffing changes that have become possible.
Originality/value
The paper shows how one university is responding to the changes that are taking place technologically and particularly in relation to document supply librarians and staff in the service areas of the main library.
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The purpose of this article is to offer a view to non‐Italian librarians on Italian document supply (DS) developments and to submit to Italian DS librarians some points for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to offer a view to non‐Italian librarians on Italian document supply (DS) developments and to submit to Italian DS librarians some points for discussion and some problems to solve.
Design/methodology/approach
Italian DS is described from the perspective of a large university library's interactions with its users (faculty, undergraduate students and researchers) and its suppliers (Italian and European libraries together with non‐library suppliers). Some characteristics of Italian library systems can be better understood by referring to the historical context; other characteristics reflect the difficulty of considering DS services as a strategic service integrated with other services.
Findings
Italian DS services reveal two models of organisation and strategy, the networked and the independent. Four key factors are changing the target population, partners, policies and the role of DS in Italy: university reform, the increasing number of online full text journals available in universities, transdisciplinary research, and the internet.
Originality/value
The article can be used by non‐Italian librarians to obtain information about Italian libraries and their DS services. It gives some useful URLs and some guidance to finding documents via Italian OPACs.