HART@UIUCVMD.BITNET (Michael S. Hart) (01/13/90)
----------------------------Original message---------------------------- >----------------------------Original message---------------------------- >At the University of Illinois (Urbana) users do not even need to explicitly >fill out another form (if using the PC interface to the on-line catalog). If >a library search fails, users are prompted to search other catalogs; if the >reference is found in one of those other catalogs, users are asked if they >want to charge the volume on interlibrary loan. A yes response prompts for >your name. That's it: you receive the volume in campus mail, or pick it up at >the circulation desk. > >There were a some shortcomings of the on-line catalog at Illinois, but in this >respect, I think it is still a model of ease of use and utility for users. Actually, depending on the interface one uses, the search automatically goes on to search all of the 30-40 libraries on the network, and the book is checked out with the same commands as usual (but the MAIL option must be turned on to receive items via campus mail - otherwise the item is held at the library). This alternate interface is LAD, the Library Access Disk. Michael