OPAL Updates and Tips

2022 May OPAL Idea Exchange: ILL and Resource Sharing

Discussion Highlights

ILL and Resource Sharing

DOCLINE

• DOCLINE is the National Library of Medicine's interlibrary loan (ILL) request routing system geared toward improving access to biomedical literature for libraries. You do not need to be a medical library to participate. It's worth considering if your collection supports nursing, physical therapy, health sciences, medicine or other related programs. Libraries with a health sciences or biomedical literature collection and mission may participate in DOCLINE. They agree to fulfill lending requests from other DOCLINE libraries from a minimum of 10 journals. 
• There is an initial activation fee of $275 paid via EFTS through the Medical Library Association. You do not need to be an MLA member to utilize this payment option.
• Nonmembers can make ILL requests using the NLM Interlibrary Loan Request Portal (Relais) or search Free Biomedical Literature Resources.
• FREESHARE is a cross-regional group of reciprocal borrowers in DOCLINE. Members agree to fill DOCLINE requests free of charge on a reciprocal basis. 
• Pros: routing system ensures prompt and accurate lending and borrowing, access to NLM collections, easy to use (enter PMID or ISSN), reduces article purchases.
• Cons: Holdings are managed manually.

Questions? Contact Noreen Mulcahy (Mount Carmel) or Becki Daniels (Mercy College of Ohio)

TIPASA

• TIPASA is OCLC's cloud-based interlibrary loan management system which supports managing a high volume of interlibrary loan requests and automates routine borrowing and lending functions.
• Web-based, so it's not tied to a specific computer, easy to use and manage with built in article exchange. Don't need to involve IT for set up.
• Option to use Interlibrary Loan Fee Management (IFM) to consolidate your borrowing and lending fees on your monthly OCLC invoice.
• Enables patrons to place and monitor requests through their user account - popular with faculty.
• TIPASA integrates with other ILL systems such as RapidILL, Get It Now, and Reprints Desk’s Article Galaxy.
• Benefits: Easy to train others, better integrated article exchange and copyright management, automated request processing. Download the brochure for more information.
• Cons: additional cost.

Questions? Contact Tim Sandusky (Ohio Dominican) or Adam Green (John Carroll)

Sierra ILL Function

At this time we are not making configuration changes or adding new institutions to the ILL function.

• Special module that allows you to integrate check-in and check-out of your ILL items. Innovative charges for this and back when OPAL formed, a number of libraries opted in and paid for the function. Currently, Baldwin Wallace, Bluffton, Defiance, Hiram, Malone, Otterbein, Tiffin, Ursuline, Walsh are configured.
• Works similar to requests/holds for OhioLINK materials. Staff reviews requests and you can cancel or submit to OCLC ILL electronically. 
• Creates a dummy item record for returnable items which ties into your notices.
• Requires a little more work for circulation staff because they need to match the due date on the book itself or Sierra will use the system check-out date.
• More details in the Sierra manual and Innovative training portal.
• At Otterbein requests are made through a webpage form. Contact Rebecca Raeske-Grinch with questions about how they use this module.

WorldShare Real Time Availability and Automations

• Baldwin Wallace uses real time availability and automations, as well as IFM for billing to streamline their ILL workflows. Contact Laura D'Amato with questions about how they implement these options.
• More about Real-Time Availability and Automated Request Manager.