Interlending and document supply trends in NHS North West health libraries 2003/2004 to 2006/2007.
BACKGROUND
The Library and Information for Health Network North West (LIHNN) represents health libraries in Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Isle of Man, Lancashire, Merseyside and Wirral. LIHNN members take part in a regional co-operative network supporting interlending and document supply.


METHODS
Data were analysed over a 4-year period to identify trends and patterns. In addition, a literature review was conducted to compare trends seen in NHS libraries to those trends seen in other sectors and in other countries. RESULTS/TRENDS: Between 2003/2004 and 2006/2007 there was a significant drop in document supply activity reported by NHS North West libraries from 59 321 to 37 134 copies, representing a fall of 37.4%. During the same period, lending between libraries stayed constant.


CONCLUSIONS
The NHS supplies a significant number of documents to its users and it is investigating a number of options to increase efficiencies. The observed fall in document supply activity has been reported in several sectors and has been attributed to a number of cofactors. Although the fall in document supply activity is expected to continue, a critical mass of information is likely to remain behind subscription barriers and this, in turn, will necessitate supply from external sources.
Glover
Steven William
SW
Kostoris Library, Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. sglover@picr.man.ac.uk
Addison
John
J
Gleghorn
Colette
C
Aalai
Elham
E
Annis
Shan
S
D019992:Databases as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007379:Interlibrary Loans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007993:Libraries, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007998:Library Science / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009862:Online Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom