What Should I do with an ALA Form?
Dealing with Yesterday's Technologies in Today's World
Within today's sophisticated interlibrary loan and document delivery environments, it is second nature to expect that any and all interlibrary loan requests will come to your library via DOCLINE (if you work primarily with health sciences libraries) or OCLC (if you work with a broader range of libraries). In fact, electronic transmission is recommended by the Interlibrary Loan Code of the United States as stated in the Code's Explanatory Supplement that states:
"The code recommends electronic communication. For many libraries, sending requests electronically means using the ILL messaging systems associated with DOCLINE, OCLC, RLIN, other products that use the ISO ILL Protocol, or structured email requests."
Thus, you may be surprised if you receive an ALA form for an interlibrary loan. Those of you who are relatively new to interlibrary loans may not even recognize the old paper-based system! Here at PSRML, we occasionally hear about libraries or organizations still using ALA forms. Typically, the staff at these organizations are working with older procedure manuals and do not know about today's technologies or they may be accustomed only to working with commercial document delivery suppliers. So, if you receive an ALA form, please refer the requesting library or organization to PSRML so that we can assist the library to determine if participating in DOCLINE is suitable and appropriate for them.
This is not to suggest that you cannot fill a loan outside of DOCLINE. The Explanatory Supplement also states: "Lacking the ability to transmit [electronically], the requesting library should mail a completed ALA interlibrary loan request form, fax a request using ALA's Guidelines and Procedures for Telefacsimile and Electronic Delivery of Interlibrary Loan Requests , or otherwise provide the same information via conventional letter or email message." But don't hesitate to refer the requester to PSRML so that we can help sort out the best options ranging from full participatory interlibrary loan to commercial document suppliers. Contact Julie Kwan, PSRML Library Network Coordinator, at 310-825-342 or 800-338-7657 if you have any questions or to make a referral. JK