Inter-Library Loans - Review of Pricing Structure
In response to customer feedback, and in an effort to provide a fair and realistic service, Highland Libraries reviewed the pricing structure for its Inter-Library Loan service (ILL). In 2005-2006, the library service dealt with over 1500 ILL requests.
Following the introduction of the Royal Mail's Pricing in Proportion (PiP), it became clear that borrowers requesting large or heavy items through the ILL service were subject to high return postage charges.
In the interests of providing a fair service, Highland Libraries introduced revised charges for ILLs with effect from 1st January 2007. All Highland Libraries displayed posters and leaflets detailing the revised costs.
The ILL service enables borrowers to access material which is not held in Highland Libraries' stock. The library service typically requests material from the British Library or the National Library of Scotland. The British Library, for example, charges Highland Libraries £7.45 plus postage for every item, and £3.00 every time an item is renewed.
Highland Libraries is dedicated to offering a value-for-money service, and in the light of the Royal Mail's PiP scheme, will continue to charge ILL borrowers return postage for books, but will cap this at £10 for very large or heavy items. Return postage for lighter items typically starts at £0.44.
Renewals:
ILL borrowers still get one free renewal of their book (if not required by another library authority), but thereafter are asked to pay a £3.00 renewal charge - borrowers are allowed a maximum of 5 renewals on one item.
Photocopies:
Charges for ILL photocopies are as follows:
£2.00 for up to 10 pages, thereafter £0.10 per page