Looking at Resource Sharing Costs

Purpose – This paper is the result of a small cost study of resource sharing services in 23 North American libraries. Trends that have affected resource sharing costs since the last comprehensive study are discussed. Design/methodology approach – Selected libraries were approached for this phase of study. A pilot phase helped to clarify the cost and service definitions while revising the database which served as the data collection instrument. Findings – Immediate access to electronic items at point of use has resulted in user demand for faster turnaround for physical materials. This in turn has led to increased costs for ILL technology and shipping. Costs have decreased but continue to show a noticeable disparity between higher ILL Borrowing mean costs compared to ILL Lending. The data also clearly supports the perception that patron initiated Circ to Circ module transactions are lower than ILL. Originality/value – Libraries have been using cost data that is almost ten years old. While this study is small, the data provides an updated benchmark to assist libraries in making effective decisions regarding resource sharing. The study illustrates a range of costs which reinforce the need for libraries to investigate their own average costs for optimal decision.International Federation of Library Association

Revisiting interlibrary loan best practices: still viable?

This paper evaluates the impact of the Group Interlibrary Loan Best Practices instituted by the Greater Western Library Alliance (GWLA) Libraries in 2002 and examines if these best practices are still viable today. The authors provide an updated discussion on current best practices in both GWLA and other highly effective library consortia

Computational Modelling of Materials for Wind Turbine Blades: Selected DTUWind Energy Activities

Computational and analytical studies of degradation of wind turbine blade materials at the macro-, micro-, and nanoscale carried out by the modelling team of the Section Composites and Materials Mechanics, Department of Wind Energy, DTU, are reviewed. Examples of the analysis of the microstructural effects on the strength and fatigue life of composites are shown. Computational studies of degradation mechanisms of wind blade composites under tensile and compressive loading are presented. The effect of hybrid and nanoengineered structures on the performance of the composite was studied in computational experiments as well

Collective and Creative Learning to Enhance Interlibrary Loan

The resource sharing community has a proud history of sharing knowledge through conferences, workshops, and online resources in support of training and development. People have enjoyed these opportunities and received various levels of benefit depending on access and whether instruction aligns with the methods they learn best. However, it is clear there aren\u27t enough collective actions to meet the needs. We hosted a series of focus groups on training and development to find out from participants what has worked for them, what is still needed, how they learn best, and the types of training and information that will help them succeed. This is especially true as we work through a pandemic that has led to reductions in staffing for some as well as budget issues. Information gathered has helped us identify what the resource sharing community can do collectively. We need an interactive online resource that creates a next generation level of learning and sharing. Conferences, workshops, and other events also continue to be important and can be enhanced through shared utilization of this new online resource

We Sincerely Regret to Inform You That the Material You Have Requested Is Unavailable via Interlibrary Loan

This paper outlines the results of the authors’ research study on one consortium’s interlibrary loan practices on returnable items. Local practices and policies that appear to have affected other member libraries are included. The audience will consider whether this analysis identifies concerns that they should investigate with their own consortium partners. The group as a whole can then begin to explore how significant this issue might be on a national scale; whether these issues might be prevalent enough to warrant a broader analysis; and what solutions might be starting points for discussion

Library Collection Building: The Interlocking Functions of ILL, Acquisitions, and Collection Development

This chapter explores the experiences of two libraries, Oregon State University (OSU) and the University of Kansas (KU), that have made changes to their respective organizational structures in order to better meet the information needs of their communities. Changes in technology and in the scholarly publishing landscape, increased expectations of users for immediate access to information, and shrinking library collection budgets prompted librarians at both institutions to review the relationships and effectiveness of previously siloed collection development, interlibrary loan, and acquisitions units. Both libraries have now found ways to organize ILL and acquisitions departments to better support collection development. These examples of successful cooperation within libraries mirror the success that ILL staff already enjoy by working closely with colleagues at other libraries, and provide a model for library staff in any and all libraries interested in collaborating more closely or combining functions and departments within a library

Improving Use of Resources through an Enhanced Information Management Library System

Content from this paper was presented at the Globalization and the Management of Information Resources conference in Sofia, Bulgaria on November 13, 2008. This conference was co-sponsored by the Emporia State University School of Library and Information Management, and University of Sofia St. Kliment Ohridski.The explosion of information and “ease” of sharing information electronically has sparked an increase in information that libraries need to share internally, with partners, and customers in order to effectively provide the services desired. This is increasingly important as the more successful organizations understand the need to support collaborative environments whether within library staff teams, with other groups that help provide service, and with customers. Web 2.0 tools can help with this issue but these tools are seriously under-utilized and libraries must look to improve their use of these tools. However, even full utilization of the individual tools may not be feasible due to the amount of staff development needed at a pace to keep up with many customers. A next generation tool is needed that integrates a variety of elements that current tools support. This tool can help people focus their time on sharing of information and collaboration versus spending time on the tools themselves

The Effects of Gas Saturation of Electrolytes on the Performance and Durability of Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Traces of species in batteries are known to impact battery performance. The effects of gas species, although often reported in the electrolyte and evolving during operation, have not been systematically studied to date and are therefore barely understood. This study reveals and compares the effects of different gases on the charge-discharge characteristics, cycling stability and impedances of lithium-ion batteries. All investigated gases have been previously reported in lithium-ion batteries and are thus worth investigating: Ar, CO$_{2}$, CO, C$_{2}$H$_{4}$, C$_{2}$H$_{2}$, H$_{2}$, CH$_{4}$ and O$_{2}$. Gas-electrolyte composition has a significant influence on formation, coulombic and energy efficiencies, C-rate capability, and aging. Particularly, CO$_{2}$ and O$_{2}$ showed a higher C-rate capability and a decrease in irreversible capacity loss during the first cycle compared to Ar. Similar discharge capacities and aging behaviors are observed for CO, C$_{2}$H$_{4}$ and CH$_{4}$. Acetylene showed a large decrease in performance and cycle stability. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that the gases mainly contribute to changes in charge transfer processes, whereas the effects on resistance and solid electrolyte interphase performance were minor. Compared to all other gas–electrolyte mixtures, the use of CO$_{2}$ saturated electrolyte showed a remarkable increase in all performance parameters including lifetime