Librarian filter

[sqwook]

If I had a librarian filter, I'd use it for this post.  You may self-select.  You may also read the post if you're not a librarian - if you think you can HANDLE it. ;)

Ypsi used to have a great system called MiLE that allowed me from my own internet connection to query a consortium of local libraries (which did not include Ann Arbor or UM but did include much of SE Michigan) for books I wished to read, and then order them myself, and then have them delivered to the library location most convenient to me. Awesome!  Then someone hacked into the database, ruining it beyond repair. Opposite of awesome!  After asking about the system every single freaking time I go to the library (to make my love and support for it known), finally, today, the nice circulations women who answered the phone explained in more detail.

The system was irrevocably ruined.  There are no plans to rebuild it. The organization that created it no longer exists. Ypsi uses a database (circe?) that is not compatible with the other primary library-sharing programs, hence one reason why MiLE was established in the first place.

So here's what I do now if I want a book that doesn't happen to be at Ypsi:
Either: Write out a request on paper of the book details, and wait until they find it and get it over to Ypsi.
Or: I can look at other libraries myself (those with reciprocal lending priveleges, not including AA) and go get them, assuming said library is not too far away.

 

Q1: MiLE was awesome! If anyone had funding, wouldn't they fund such a project? (A big IF)
Q2: Should I feel guilty asking the librarians to indulge all my random book requests? I find myself self-censoring because the process seems so unwieldy for them.
Q3: Other thoughts?

Comments

[sqwook.livejournal.com]

Interestingly, Ypsi library is not on worldcat. But that's probably ok, as I would only need it to find books that aren't at Ypsi.
So, can I request ILL books from libraries that don't have reciprocal lending arrangements with my library?

[pumaviking.livejournal.com]

yep. in fact, you don't need to know where the book would be coming from to ILL it. that's part of our job. you just need to know the bibliographic info (title, author, date, publisher - as much of that sort of thing as you can).