Library deflection

Set your resource sharing to automatically route requests you can’t fill to the next lender

By Carrie Benseler

One of the newest productivity features to OCLC’s WorldCat Resource Sharing service lets you “deflect” interlibrary loan requests for materials your library does not have, or does not wish to copy or loan.

With deflection enabled, requests automatically move to the next lender, resulting in faster turnaround times and delivery of library materials to users. And library
staff no longer need to manually handle these requests, which improves workflow and reduces the amount of time a request remains in “pending” status.

Libraries define their deflection criteria in their Policies Directory. Staff set up their systems to automatically deflect individual items or certain types of materials, such as audiovisuals, archival materials or eSerials. Deflection also can be used to allow lending only to certain library groups or consortia.

The Ohio State University Libraries implemented a per-title deflection policy in July. “We are now handling about 180 fewer requests per month because of deflection, saving us staff time” said Jennifer Kuehn, Head of Interlibrary Services, The Ohio State University Libraries. “Our fill rate has gone up and we can spend our time filling requests rather than handling requests we wouldn’t be able to fill.”

The policies directory feature was installed in June 2006. Already, more than 800 libraries have set up deflection policies for their resource sharing systems.

To view a step-by-step guide on how to implement WorldCat Resource Sharing deflection at your library, visit the Past enhancements to WorldCat Resource Sharing Web page and scroll down to “Policies Directory and WorldCat Resource Sharing Auto-Deflection.”

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