Licensed to Share: How Libraries Are Handling Electronic Journal Article Requests

Abstract

This questionnaire-based study examines how libraries are now handling electronic journal (e-journal) article requests in both lending and borrowing. With an increasing number of publishers and e-journal content providers permitting interlibrary loan (ILL) sharing, and with the availability of new license management tools and services, many respondents stated that they share e-journal articles. However, problems persist. Respondents cited issues such as restrictive licenses, automatic deflection of e-journal article requests, and the lack of information from libraries about what e-journal titles they are licensed to ILL.

KEYWORDS:

• electronic resources
• interlibrary loan
• license management
• licensing