"I find it hard to believe the limited electronic resources available. Every article I have requested through free of charge ILL has been denied. The articles were all after the year 1990, so not something too obscure. At my past University, this was never a problem and articles requested did not cost anything to be obtained. The $8 fee seems a bit high...
As I work on my PhD, these limited resources are hindering my completion. I am extremely disappointed in this aspect of the University of Maryland. I would think Interlibrary loan articles should be covered under student fees."
Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns. We value the input we receive directly from the community we serve and take it to heart. Our goal is to be an asset - not a hindrance - to our students as they pursue their education.
In reviewing your specific interlibrary loan requests, the reason for those cancellations was that the journal titles requested were not held in the USMAI system of 16 libraries across our 14 campuses. If they were, they would be provided free of charge as part of our consortial agreement. When we receive a request with the billing option, "Obtain at No Charge," we search USMAI holdings only and cancel the request if the article cannot be obtained through the consortium. When we borrow outside of the USMAI libraries, we will pay up to $20 per request so the $8.00 fee we charge for that service is actually subsidized.
You are correct that many universities are funded at a level which enables them to provide interlibrary loan service at no charge across the board. We aspire to be among them one day. Currently, the portion of instructional resource fees that the library receives covers only a fraction of our expenses. Thus, it is necessary for the HS/HSL to charge fees for certain services.
Thank you for your valued input and the chance to answer these important questions.
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