Binghamton University Libraries Ask a Librarian

LibraryLinks Spring 2007

We’re #1 in Interlibrary Loan Lending!

By Carol Clemente

Binghamton University Libraries ranked #1 in overall interlibrary loan lending for fiscal year 2005-2006, according to Nylink*. Statistics indicate more than 500,000 items were supplied by Nylink libraries via the OCLC** interlibrary loan service. Although Southern Tier libraries represent only 6% of the membership, Binghamton University captured the top ranking based on the 20,392 items supplied to other libraries.

How did we process so many requests? We reviewed our processing operations when we began offering 24-hour library service Sunday through Thursday nights. We were able to train late-night and early-morning staff to process interlibrary loan requests, which effectively reduced the turnaround time to fulfill requests. With the addition of new evening staff, we are now able to retrieve, digitally scan, and prepare materials to be shipped 24 hours a day.

Jon Penn of Nylink stated that Binghamton University Libraries' success is due to the “commitment to sharing, high quality of the library staff, and the depth of the Binghamton collection.”

Mandy Wright
Mandy Wright, Library Clerk,
processes loan requests

Top Lenders in NYLINK FY 2005-06*

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*Nylink, based in Albany, NY, is a nonprofit membership organization comprised of more than 300 libraries and 2,000 affiliates throughout New York State and surrounding areas. Nylink provides training, support and consulting services to libraries. In addition, Nylink provides support for and access to OCLC services and facilitates a statewide ground delivery service for resource sharing.

**OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) is a nonprofit, membership, computer library service and research organization dedicated to providing access to the world’s information. More than 57,000 libraries around the world use OCLC services to locate, acquire, catalog, lend and preserve library materials. Using OCLC’s Online Union Catalog, WorldCat, Binghamton University faculty and students have access to 84 million bibliographic records.