Service to Libraries That Do Not Purchase a WISCAT/WISCATILL License

Due to budget deficits and increasing backlogs in request processing, the Reference and Loan Library finds it necessary to limit the services offered to libraries that do not purchase a license to use WISCAT/WISCATILL. Requests not processed through WISCATILL require manual recordkeeping when a referral is made. The biggest change is that we will no longer be able to refer interlibrary loan (ILL) requests to other libraries on your behalf. We will continue to fill your requests for titles available at the Reference and Loan Library. We regret having to implement this change.

Libraries affected by this policy are libraries that participate in ILL as a lender only or that do not participate in ILL at all. If you are one of the "lender only" libraries, we do appreciate your willingness to lend and would like to continue to refer requests to you for items we have not been able to borrow from other libraries in Wisconsin. If you prefer not to lend any longer, please let us know and we will stop asking.

Libraries may use WISCAT to locate titles they need and identify which libraries own them. The WISCAT catalog is on the internet (http://www.wiscat.net) and free to all Wisconsin libraries and residents. Libraries may then send the patron to the public library to use ILL or they may contact the owning library to see if they will lend to them in a direct transaction (via email, fax, or mail request). It is up to the lender to decide if they will loan the item requested.

Following are the Interlibrary Loan and Reference services that the Reference and Loan Library will continue to offer libraries that do not purchase a WISCAT/WISCATILL license:

Interlibrary Loan:
We lend materials from the Reference and Loan Library collections, including materials owned at the Child Care Information Center. Requests may be submitted via email (rllill@dpi.wi.gov), fax (608-224-6178), or by mail at:

Reference and Loan Library ATTN: REFERENCE REQUEST 2109 South Stoughton Road Madison WI 53716

Materials available include, but are not limited to:

• Print materials, including some reference works;
• Audiovisual materials;
• Microfilm materials;
• Photocopy of articles from journals and non-circulating titles;
• Fiche copies of ERIC documents (occasionally paper copy may be available).
  

ILL Services:

• Audiovisual materials may be booked for specific use dates.
• We reserve in use materials.
• We renew materials that are not on hold for another user.
• We verify citations and provide a list of owning libraries.
• We provide assistance in locating library contact information. Directories of many types of libraries are found at http://www.wisconsin.gov/state/core/index_of_wisconsin_government_and_university_directories.html
  

Libraries requesting materials from the Reference and Loan Library should make one request per title and should include:

• The borrowing library's complete mailing address
• Title of the requested item
• WISCAT (ocm) number
• Article citation if the item is a periodical (volume, issue, date, article title, article author, pages)
• Need By date (date after which the item will no longer be of use to the patron)
• Use Date if the audiovisual item is to be booked for a specific showing.

Reference Services:
We can connect you to Ask?Away, a chat reference service, staffed by professional librarians from around the country.

We provide reference service by email *dpirllref@dpi.wi.gov and via Ask?Away, phone (toll-free: 888-542-5543, option 5), fax (608-224-6178), or by mail at:

Reference and Loan Library ATTN: REFERENCE REQUEST 2109 South Stoughton Road Madison WI 53716

We search the Internet, BadgerLink, and other specialized databases such as Dialog, WestLaw, and FirstSearch (OCLC) for full text articles.We suggest reference or other resources that are appropriate to locate answers to questions.

We consult with and/or refer customers to outside experts or organizations to help answer questions. If you have questions or concerns, please contact staff at the Reference and Loan Library: Martha Berninger, Head of Reference and Interlibrary Loan, martha.berninger@dpi.wi.gov Sally Drew, Director, sally.drew@dpi.wi.gov.

For questions about this information, contact Martha Berninger (608) 224-6168

Last updated on 2/26/2008 10:39:03 AM