THE DOCLINE LINK BETWEEN CHALMERS UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND THE BRITISH LIBRARY LENDING DIVISION

In 1979 a computerized interlending link between Chalmers University of Technology and the British Library Lending Division was developed, based on a system already in operation between the British Library Lending Division and a number of US libraries. A successful pilot evaluation at Chalmers University of Technology led to the decision to test DOCLINE in different Swedish libraries. A comparative study between requests sent via DOCLINE and those sent via the Swedish interlending network showed a satisfaction rate of 83% for the former and 64% for the latter. The main reason for the difference was the greater coverage of material held by the Lending Division. The speed of delivery via DOCLINE was six days and eight days via the Swedish network, however for the latter, requests from smaller institutions are frequently sent via the main library thus involving a delay. The costs for the DOCLINE interlending requests total £3.42 compared with between £5.42 and £6.42 for the Swedish interlending manual procedures. The DOCLINE system is being developed to provide users with statistical and administrative information and as the number of libraries using the system grows, a DOCLINE newsletter is planned. Experiments with telefacsimile transmission between Chalmers University of Technology and the Lending Division have also been operating since November 1982. There is considerable interest from Swedish libraries of many types in the use of the DOCLINE link.