Unity reaps rewards: an integrated UK ILL and resource discovery solution for libraries

The purpose of this article is to explain the developments which have led to the award of a UK wide resource sharing service to OCLC/PICA.

Provides a narrative and descriptive approach.

The UnityUK platform comprises three existing integrated software applications. The platform encapsulates the requirements of resource sharing, from discovery through to delivery. More importantly, it offers an end user interface for library borrowers, including the ability to authenticate and request an item from anywhere in the country.

The article provides insights into the current complex and rapidly changing situation for interlending and resource sharing in the UK – particularly in the UK public library sector.