Latest ILL Resource Sharing Innovation and Enhancements
For over four decades, SHAREit has set the standard for online resource sharing. Today, SHAREit powers collaborative lending in 16 U.S. states and the Canadian province of British Columbia, making it the most widely adopted ILL solution in North America. The recent user group meeting underscored why SHAREit continues to lead—its future is driven by the people who use it every day.
An ILL Platform Shaped by Its Users
Unlike closed, vendor-driven systems, the SHAREit User Group is led by SHAREit users themselves—library professionals who meet regularly to exchange ideas, propose enhancements and vote on the features that matter most. This collaborative model ensures that development priorities align directly with library needs, from streamlined authentication APIs and supporting ISO 10161 workflows to developing interoperability with systems supporting the ISO18626 standard for ILL transactions.
“We are committed to pushing the interoperability envelope with SHAREit,” said Tony Saadat, President and CEO of Soutron Global. “With Soutron Global’s support, the Auto-Graphics SHAREit team is uniquely positioned to accelerate development and deliver the tools that modern libraries require to share resources more efficiently than ever, such as SHAREit’s new multi-lender list capability.”
Customised Multi-lender ILL: Smarter Automation for Higher Fill Rates
A highlight of this year’s meeting was a detailed review of SHAREit’s Multi-Lender List feature—a breakthrough in request fulfillment strategy. Borrowing libraries can now configure multiple prioritised lender lists for a single ILL request.
Why this matters for libraries:
Higher Fill Rates: Dynamically optimised lender selection ensures materials are sourced from the best potential matches
Reduced Turnaround Time: Requests get filled faster by sending them to the most likely lenders first
Custom Fit for Every Network: Whether serving a statewide consortium, a courier network, or a specialised resource group, configurations can match unique lending policies and workflows
Lower Staff Overhead: Automated, smart routing means less manual intervention and more time for high-value library services with reduced costs
Built on SHAREit’s already robust match point validation and dynamic availability checks, Multi-Lender Lists empower libraries to move beyond “send and hope” lending toward precision-targeted resource sharing.
The Result: More Loans Filled, Less Time Wasted
Whether serving a statewide network, a small consortium, or a standalone library, SHAREit users gain a competitive edge with technology designed to increase access while lowering the administrative burden of interlibrary lending. It is not just automation—it’s automation guided by the insights of a highly engaged community of library ILL professionals.
SHAREit’s future is shaped by the very people who use it every day. Through regular user meetings, libraries vote on desired enhancements, and the development team prioritises the most voted on, impactful ideas—ensuring that SHAREit remains responsive and relevant to user needs.