INTERLENDING IN THE WEST MIDLANDS: A comparative study of the services provided by the West Midland Regional Library System and the British Library Lending Division

Requests received by the West Midland Regional Library Bureau (WMRLB) during a four week period early in 1976 were monitored within the Region and copies of all the requests were submitted to the British Library Lending Division. An analysis of the type of material requested is given. The response of the West Midland Regional Library System (WMRLS) to the requests was tested by a questionnaire to member libraries. The response of the BLLD to the ‘hypothetical’ requests was monitored by the BLLD Research section. The two systems are compared in terms of levels of satisfaction, speed of supply, cost and price to participating libraries. It appears that the overall satisfaction rate from the two systems is similar, that the BLLD provides a quicker alternative for items it has available in stock, and that the costs of the present system might be reduced if all requests were sent direct to the BLLD. Possible mixed systems are also mentioned.