Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies News

Purdue Libraries transitions to reciprocal borrowing for enhanced resource sharing

December 18th, 2024

As of July 2024, UBorrow has been replaced with a new system for sharing materials that will happen seamlessly for requests submitted to interlibrary loan, where all incoming requests are now searched automatically against other Big Ten libraries’ catalogs. Purdue Libraries continues to prioritize libraries that lend materials for the longest period of time and requests will be filled as quickly as possible.

Purdue Libraries’ resource sharing agreement

Purdue’s resource sharing agreement offers:

• Streamlined access: Eliminates the need for separate searches across Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) libraries, allowing users to access a shared catalog of resources from all participating institutions with a single search.
• Faster turnaround: Reduces the time it takes to process requests, making it quicker for users to receive borrowed materials.
• Simplified borrowing: Purdue users can now request materials from other BTAA libraries more seamlessly, improving overall user experience.

Reciprocal borrowing with the BTAA

Reciprocal borrowing is the ability for Purdue users to borrow materials from BTAA libraries as though they were members of those libraries’ communities both in-person and online. Purdue’s commitment to its BTAA resource-sharing agreements includes several important priorities:

• Fair treatment: Purdue treats users from other BTAA libraries the same as local users, providing prompt service and access to resources.
• Consistent loan policies: Purdue Libraries aligns its loan policies with other BTAA institutions, including offering a minimum 17-week renewal period for borrowed materials.
• Expanded digital access: Purdue is working to improve the sharing of electronic resources, including e-books and datasets, to better support research needs.
• Efficient scanning services: Purdue is committed to a 1–2 day turnaround for scanning and digitization requests, ensuring that users get the materials they need as quickly as possible.

In summary, this shift represents a step forward in how Purdue Libraries supports resource sharing. As Libraries continues to strengthen its partnerships with BTAA libraries, users can expect even greater access to academic materials in the future.

For more information on how to use this service, visit the Purdue Libraries answers website or view the BTAA’s announcement.