Bowdoin College Library introduces innovative ILL map to highlight global research
The Bowdoin College Library in Brunswick, Maine, has transformed its interlibrary loan (ILL) home page into a captivating visual experience, showcasing the global reach of its ILL services.
A dynamic digital map now greets library users with a global perspective, highlighting Bowdoin’s ILL service and its connections to more than 450 libraries in 45 countries—and its potential to connect to thousands more through the OCLC global resource sharing network.
Before logging in, users see pop-up examples of research materials delivered via ILL in 2024, such as an unpublished paper in Neolithic African archaeology from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, or a unique museum exhibition catalog from the National Library of China. These snapshots illustrate the breadth of resources available through ILL.
“We wanted to get away from the typical boilerplate login by communicating to our users a visual sense of the extent to which our service traverses the globe and the range of material to which we have access,” said Guy Saldanha, ILL Supervisor. He added that the digital map’s Pacific-centered projection emphasizes Bowdoin’s growing ILL connections in Asia and Africa, that is, countries that are outside traditional resource-sharing networks.
Bowdoin College Library’s ILL service plays a vital role in supporting research across campus. In 2024 alone, the library provided resources for 30 student honors projects and 72 faculty publications through ILL. With 67% of faculty and nearly 25% of students utilizing ILL, its impact on research is undeniable. The library’s commitment to providing access to diverse materials, from 1930s Australian sheep industry surveys to contemporary Japanese legal studies, underscores its dedication to supporting research and academic excellence.
View Bowdoin College Library’s digital map.
More about the Bowdoin College Library
The Bowdoin College Library uses ILLiad, an ILL management system, which leverages OCLC’s WorldShare ILL network, the world’s largest resource sharing network. The Bowdoin College Library serves as the intellectual heart of the college, offering a comprehensive collection of over one million volumes including books, periodicals, and digital resources. It supports the academic and research needs of the Bowdoin community through its main facility, the Hawthorne-Longfellow Library, and specialized branches such as the Beckwith Music Library, Hatch Science Library, and Pierce Art Library.