Library information provider OCLC, US, has announced that the new OCLC WorldShare Interlibrary Loan service, designed to simplify workflows and expand fulfillment options beyond traditional interlibrary loan, is now available for use by libraries in the US.
The service will provide an integrated delivery solution with new and expanded features for libraries. It will combine the discovery and delivery of electronic, digital and print materials within a single interface. The service will also support evolving workflow changes in libraries, such as the option to purchase needed items rather than borrow them.
WorldShare Interlibrary Loan seeks to deliver new features that save time and simplify workflows for both library staff and library users, including the ability to display lender costs from the OCLC Policies Directory; automatically extend the lender string as needed; include a timeframe for responding to a request; simplify access to appropriate editions; and incorporate new 'buy-it' options.
The new service will replace WorldCat Resource Sharing for libraries with an OCLC Resource Sharing subscription. Following its initial availability in the US, WorldShare Interlibrary Loan will be released for use in all countries where OCLC's WorldCat Resource Sharing service is used.
WorldShare Interlibrary Loan is built on the OCLC WorldShare Platform, the global, interconnected web architecture that supports OCLC services and applications. The WorldShare Platform supports new features in WorldShare Interlibrary Loan that require interoperation with other applications, such as the display of lender costs from the OCLC Policies Directory and display of item availability from a library's ILS.
Moving interlibrary loan to the WorldShare Platform will mean that more than 9,000 additional OCLC member libraries will have access to the Platform, where libraries, developers and partners can build and share applications that streamline and enhance library workflows. WorldShare Interlibrary Loan will continue to expand with additional functionality in the coming months as more planned features are released.
All WorldCat Resource Sharing users must complete their transition to the new service by December 31, 2013, when access to WorldCat Resource Sharing ends. While switching to WorldShare, libraries will be able to continue using WorldCat Resource Sharing to help ensure a smoother transition.
