I agree that it's best when Medlib is saved for the really difficult requests, and I think you've got a great checklist. And I also think there are times when there's a legitimate "rush request," and it's helpful to know that. Ann M. Holman Systems Librarian (But ILL is dear to me!) Stitt Library: Information is Our Lifeblood. National Naval Medical Center 301-319-8411 (voice) 269-8411 (DSN) 295-6001 (fax) [log in to unmask] https://www.bethesda.med.navy.mil/professional/stitt_library/index.aspx -----Original Message----- From: Medical Libraries Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Virginia Ballance Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 11:17 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Medlib policy on ILL requests Medlib is an integral resourse for many of us. It has always been my understanding that we should only request ILLs on Medlib as a last resort -- when we have exhausted all other resources. Maybe together we could make a checklist to go through before placing an ILL on Medlib: Local holdings, Google Scholar (how many times have I found what I wanted there free?), Highwire, Pubmed, Docline, friends, and finally...Medlib. I am sure I have missed a few places to look... Working in a small library with few local resources, I have had to come to Medlib on many an occasion for an ILL request. Usually the problem is that too many librarians are willing to send the article! Virginia B. Virginia Ballance Nursing & Health Sciences Librarian Hilda Bowen Library College of the Bahamas P.O. Box N-4912 Nassau, Bahamas This document may contain information covered under the Privacy Act, 5 USC 552(a), and/or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (PL 104-191) and its various implementing regulations and must be protected in accordance with those provisions. Healthcare information is personal and sensitive and must be treated accordingly. If this correspondence contains healthcare information it is being provided to you after appropriate authorization from the patient or under circumstances that don't require patient authorization. You, the recipient, are obligated to maintain it in a safe, secure and confidential manner. Redisclosure without additional patient consent or as permitted by law is prohibited. Unauthorized redisclosure or failure to maintain confidentiality subjects you to application of appropriate sanction. If you have received this correspondence in error, please notify the sender at once and destroy any copies you have made.