The interloans self service project is progressing. This week Canterbury, AUT, Otago and Waikato interloans staff have had a configuration workshop on the setup of the new system, and staff are now working on the configuration forms.

The Library has decided to have LCoNZ provide VDX via OCLC for self service interloans. Interloans staff are already familiar with an earlier version of this software used by Te Puna and Libraries Australia. Auckland University has used VDX for some time.

The timeline for implementation is still a little unclear as all the LCoNZ libraries have to complete their configuration details, but our users should be able to use the system from mid January at the latest. Testing will happen in December, Stage 1 will be a basic installation for the first term, and Stage 2 will extend the functionality including integration into Horizon using NCIP. In Stage 2 we will also investigate using this software for distance requests.

Users will search MultiSearch first, then click on interloans link in Article Linker which will use openURL to transfer the data into the VDX form. This will speed up requesting for both users and library staff, and hopefully reduce the number of requests for items that we hold. There are some alternative methods as well. There will be documentation and training for users closer to the time.

Cheers, Anne