THE TRANSMISSION OF INTERLIBRARY LOAN REQUESTS: A REVIEW OF METHODS, WITH COMMENTS ON THEIR USE AT THE BRITISH LIBRARY LENDING DIVISION

The requirements for transmission methods are accuracy, speed, ease of use, ability to switch requests, ability to respond to requests, and cost. Postal services are still most commonly used. Telephone and Telex are faster, but can be expensive. New alternatives include automatic document request services, direct requesting by computer, automated request switching systems, and telefacsimile. These new methods will become more popular as costs of equipment decrease.