UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — When Penn State University Libraries suspended its on-site operations in late March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it also stopped the practice of recalling checked-out materials when those items were requested by other borrowers. Now the University Libraries is ending this practice permanently, opting instead to borrow titles from other libraries through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) when the University Libraries’ copies are checked out and have been requested by additional borrowers.
“Prior to the pandemic, like many libraries, we had already discussed eliminating recalls as a service enhancement since ILL and consortial borrowing services have evolved to the point where they can often satisfy requests more quickly than recalling checked-out materials, and without taking those materials from borrowers who are using them,” said Chris Holobar, manager of Lending and Reserve Services. “The pandemic accelerated this change.”
To encourage borrowers to use Interlibrary Loan, University Libraries made a number of changes in its online catalog:
- The location description for checked-out materials now displays the message “Checked out, request through Interlibrary Loan” and includes a direct link to an ILLiad form for the online service that facilitates ILL requests.
- The default expiration date for item holds placed by borrowers using the “I Want It” request button has been reduced from 60 to 14 days. If a hold is not satisfied within 14 days, users will receive a notice suggesting that they request the materials through ILL if they are Penn State students, faculty or staff or, if community members with University Libraries borrowing cards, from their local public library.
- Holds placed on checked-out materials will prevent current borrowers from renewing them. However, these items will not be recalled. Borrowers may return the items if finished with them or wait until the holds have expired to renew, if they have renewals available.
An important exception is that University Libraries staff may still need to recall items if they are requested by instructors for Penn State course reserve use. Notices will be sent to affected borrowers explaining that those materials have been recalled for that purpose.
Future improvements currently under development include a fully automated ILL request made via the “I Want It” button for checked-out items, but in the interim, the fastest, easiest way for University Libraries borrowers to gain access to checked-out items is to use Interlibrary Loan.
“Our desire has always been to provide the best possible service to our users. The need to return recalled materials has often been a source of frustration for those individuals who need the material for their research. Making this change will allow our users that already have the material to hold on to it but will also allow other users to request the same materials in a more seamless fashion,” said Meg Massey, manager of Interlibrary Loan.
Learn more about Interlibrary Loan Services on the University Libraries website.