Frequently Asked Questions @ Your RML
Below are some questions (with the answers) that have come to us since the last issue of Latitudes. Take a look...they may be questions you have wanted to ask us!
- What is the relationship between MedlinePlus and health.nih.gov?
- Can I charge extra for electronic document delivery (EDD)?
- I've heard I can search PubMed from within DOCLINE. How can I do this?
Question: What is the relationship between MedlinePlus and health.nih.gov?
Answer
This question was posted to MEDLIB-L. Naomi Miller, MedlinePlus Content Manager at the National Library of Medicine, posted the following reply on July 19, 2004:
"Regarding the relationship between the health.nih.gov web site and MedlinePlus, it's true that they both fall under the umbrella of NIH. But they serve different purposes.
"The health.nih.gov site's mission is to communicate results of research that NIH does or funds. The NIH site's design is based on the results of usability studies and focus groups that have shown that the public expects to find information based on NIH research on the NIH web site. NLM's MedlinePlus has a broader goal - to select and organize authoritative information from NIH, other government departments, professional organizations, and so on, to provide a more comprehensive site. The NIH team and the MedlinePlus team have a representative on each other's Advisory group. The NIH team is using MedlinePlus terminology to create their site, and we are working towards sharing data more completely. Both sites are always a 'work in progress', but be assured that we are collaborating as we try to meet our respective goals."
Question: Can I charge extra for electronic document delivery (EDD)?
Answer
We recommend that you do not charge extra for delivering interlibrary loans electronically. This is consistent with the American Library Association's Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States Explanatory Supplement that states: "While a supplying library may charge additional fees for the rapid delivery of requested material, it is recommended that no additional fees be charged for the routine supply of documents via electronic means." (Section 5.1 Lending Policy) (see http://www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaprotools/referenceguide/interlibraryloancode.htm).
Rush service is different than electronic delivery, although rush service may include EDD. Rush implies that a specific request is given a higher priority than other requests and other activities. For example, in a large volume ILL operation, the request would be taken out of order. Taking a request out of order adds a level of complexity and loss of efficiency. While supplying a rush request might include EDD - to get the item to the requester more quickly - all EDD requests are not necessarily rush requests.
Many libraries keep their interlibrary loan charges low due to efficiencies made through electronic delivery. EDD removes the need for supplies (paper, envelopes, labels, postage, etc.) and process time (documents waiting in queues for mail pickup, sorting, and delivery). While this is certainly true for large, high-volume ILL centers, the principle also applies to the smaller unit. After all, it's not much different to scan an article as it is to photocopy it - it just uses fewer supplies and takes up less space.
Here in the regional network office, we would like to encourage the routine use of electronic delivery, and we are exploring ways that we can promote EDD in our region. If you have any suggestions, please contact Julie Kwan at jkkwan@library.ucla.edu.
Question: I've heard I can search PubMed from within DOCLINE. How can I do this?
Answer
Yes, there is a way to access PubMed through the DOCLINE system. It's a good idea to do so because it is a more efficient process than accessing PubMed directly and then going into the DOCLINE system and processing a request using the Unique Key screen with PMIDs.
The following steps will show you how:
- Logon to DOCLINE
- Click on Requests -> Borrow -> PubMed (see below)
Then, search PubMed the way you would if you were accessing it directly. Once you have found the article(s) you want to order, select the corresponding checkbox(es). Change the Send to pull-down menu to Order and click on Send to button (see below).
The system should take you to the Process PubMed Orders page (see below). You can proceed with processing your DOCLINE requests by clicking on the Next >>> button.
If the system does not take you to the Process PubMed Orders screen and you are taken to Loansome Doc, please visit the following page and verify your Web browser settings are set correctly for using the DOCLINE system:
DOCLINE® System Requirements
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/docline/system_requirements.html
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please contact Andrea Lynch either via telephone at 800-338-7657 or directly at 310-206-5633 or via email at andlynch@library.ucla.edu.