August 2022
The Data is in: Interlibrary Loans are on the Rebound
Bar Chart showing ILL statistics 2017 to 2021. Number of ILL stats shows 2017 to 2019 averaging 85k per year then dipping to 39k in 2020 and up to 72k in 2021. Number of patron initiated requests also shows a similar trend line.
With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and temporary closures of Interlibrary Loans (ILL) a few years behind us, we now have data showing effects of these events on the Illume system. Reflecting on the numbers, some observations:

  • Interlibrary loans are showing signs of returning to pre-pandemic levels. 2021 saw the number of ILL requests filled bounce back to almost pre-2020 numbers, and the number of ILL requests filled in the first half of 2022 (not shown) continues to trend towards pre-pandemic levels.

  • Patron-initiated requests dipped in 2020 but also appear to have bounced back to pre-pandemic levels.

  • While ILL was certainly affected by closures in 2020, it did not shut down altogether. At times when physical loans were not possible, ILL of electronic materials continued to be supported by the Illume system.
 
Interested in exploring more Illume statistics? Illume offers a variety of ILL statistics and history in the SHAREit software. Learn how you can view reports on the Illume Statistics webpage.
The Illume Network Has Grown!
Illume has welcomed two new participating libraries to the network: University Canada West (UCW) and Trinity Western University (TWU)!
 
UCW is the first BC ELN Associate Member to open its collection to interlibrary loan via Illume. This follows a decision by the BC ELN Steering Committee last year to allow Associate Member institutions that meet criteria to join the service. Nicoletta Romano, Interim Manager, Library and Learning Commons at University Canada West, shares what this means for her institution:

"UCW is excited to join Illume's Interlibrary Loan network. Joining ILL means UCW can greatly extend our collection reach for our community and provide a greater variety of support tools for our students and faculty. The addition of ILL is a long sought-after goal and we look forward to the chance to continue to work with our partnering institutions."
 
BC ELN Full Member TWU officially launched January 24th, and is now also part of the Illume system. These new Illume members benefit from the financial and time savings of joining a supported system, while patrons across BC have access to a broader array of materials. It’s a win-win!
Taking Patron-Initiated Requesting to the Next Level
Two young asian women look at a laptop screen together. One woman is pointing at the screen explaining something to the other.
Calling early adopters! Illume public libraries now have an opportunity to explore permanent patron-initiated requesting in a controlled and supported environment.
 
Currently 2/3rds of public libraries have guest patron-initiated interlibrary loan requesting (PI-ILLs) activated in Illume. Guest PI-ILL allows patrons to submit their own ILL requests without creating an account. While this option allows for some autonomy, there are potential barriers: patrons can only track active requests, and if they forget their PIN or temporary password, or if the information they entered contains a typo, the patron won’t be able to find their request.
 
The temporary nature of guest PI-ILL also means patrons must enter their information each time they create a request, and they aren’t able to save lists or set a default branch, among other limitations.
 
Alternatively, permanent PI-ILL attaches requests to a patron account that is saved in the Illume (SHAREit) software. There are numerous benefits to this approach:

  • Patron information is saved and auto-fills every new request form
  • Patrons can track all requests and update their contact information; request information is retained for a longer period of time, even if the request is deleted
  • Patrons can save lists and set a default branch

Staff can easily create requests on behalf of a permanent patron, using the "Patron Lookup" button to pre-fill patron data, while still allowing that patron to track their own request - an additional advantage.
 
Ready to Try Permanent Patron-Initiated Requesting? The Illume Support Centre is available to work with interested libraries to develop a plan that meets workflows and needs. Contact us to discuss.
 
Further resources on the Illume website: see pages Patron-Initiated Interlibrary Loans and Differences between Guest and Permanent PI-ILL.
Libraries Working Together to Create a Robust Illume System
Scrabble board with letter tiles forming the word "teamwork"
When BC ELN library directors agreed to eliminate fees amongst BC ELN partner libraries for non-returnable items (e.g. articles) several years ago, they identified a number of considerations to address in order to support the decision.
 
These considerations naturally focused on strengthening Illume’s infrastructure to ensure a healthy and balanced system. Though delayed somewhat by COVID-19 disruptions, the Illume Support Centre -- with support and participation from partner libraries -- has made excellent progress on addressing the considerations.
 
Achievements include: establishing formalized expectations for participants, creating best practices for equitable sharing, and educating and training ILL staff on best practices as well as load leveling strategies.
 
While these changes were prompted by the decision to eliminate fees for non-returnables between BC ELN libraries, the results of libraries’ collaborative efforts make a stronger system for all participants.
 
A final consideration, to assess impacts of these changes on the system, is now being addressed. Assessment work will be iterative; the Support Centre will analyze statistics, then take actions to improve balance in the system, and after interventions, further assessment will occur.
 
While the evaluation process will take time, a first review shows encouraging results. There is strong uptake of the recommended strategies, with the majority of libraries implementing best practices and the system showing progress towards equilibrium.
Student Librarian Laura Moberg Joins the Illume Support Centre Team
Laura Moberg smiles at camera. Laura has long wavy brown hair and dark rimmed glasses. She is pale complexioned and is wearing a puffy black coat and mustard-coloured turtleneck sweater.
You may see a new name on emails coming from the Illume Support Centre over the last few weeks of the summer…

BC ELN student librarian Laura Moberg has joined the Support Centre to assist with brokering for provincial Reading Centres and any issues that come up.

Laura is in her second year at the UBC iSchool, and is doing a dual degree in Archival Studies and Library and Information Studies. Welcome Laura!
Illume Actions & Achievements 2021 Available
Looking for a concise and attractive summary to share with administrators of the excellent collaborative work Illume libraries have done in the past year?

Look no further! Download the 2021 Illume Actions & Achievements report. You'll find a list of Illume's 2021 achievements, a re-cap of the Union Database Clean Up project, an update on the BC ELN Elimination of ILL Fees Initiative, and more!

The BC Electronic Library Network (BC ELN) hosts and staffs the Illume Administrative Centre.
Questions? Contact the Illume Administrative Centre.