Interlibrary Loan Resource Sharing Personality Types
InterLibrary Loans (ILL) enable libraries to share resources with one another to satisfy customer loan requests when the requested item is not available at the local library.
This article dives into the most-labor intensive activities identified in statewide resource sharing, the most beneficial aspects of automated statewide interlibrary resource-sharing, the distinct types of personalities libraries develop to address their unique workflows, the top personality traits of an effective ILL Professional, and concludes with a Quiz to help identify what type of an interlibrary loan personality your library most identifies with.
How SHAREit Optimizes Interlibrary Loan Workflows
Interlibrary loan resource sharing between libraries takes a lot of coordination of multiple processes and steps – some automated, some mediated, some entirely manual. From verifying bibliographic information and patron authentication of each request to verifying availability, reviewing lender selection options, coordinating delivery, placing inter-system transfers, and tracking renewals, recalls, or shipping failures, managing interlibrary loan request across multiple libraries can be very time consuming.
Top Skills and Professional Personality Traits Needed for Effective Interlibrary Loan Programs
Managing these workflows takes a high level of organization. Skills required to manage interlibrary loan programs include strong attention to detail, ability to organize multiple requests at multiple stages of the interlibrary loan process, an analytical problem-solving mindset, patience, persistence, adaptability, and a customer-service orientation are all required.
Given the differing levels of technical curiosity and comfort, changing interlibrary loan policies, and need to adapt to varying and dynamic patron requests, it’s no wonder why libraries develop interlibrary loan personalities, as each type of loan has their own workflows based on how they manage requests,
Libraries that use SHAREit for their resources sharing, tailor and optimize lender list workflows for their own library’s personality while addressing the most time-consuming interlibrary loan workflow activities: reviewing, routing and updating the status of each request.
When the State of Maryland recently awarded SHAREit the contract for Marina, their statewide ILL network, they stated that one of the reasons they selected SHAREit to power their ILL network was due to SHAREit’s flexibility when it came to being able to be configured for each individual library’s workflow.
“Every library we support works differently and it is important that SHAREit sustain and improve each library’s unique workflow,” states Paula Cristina da Fraga Maciel, Operations Manager for the Collections & Access Services Division of SLRC.
Optimizing Lender List Interlibrary Loan Workflows
Flexible lender list workflows that automate control of lender selection and routing reduces much of the workload and costs of interlibrary loan requests, while speeding up fulfillment requests and improving customer experience.
Oftentimes, how a library takes advantage of ILL automation settings is dependent on the skills and professional personality attributes of the librarians assigned to handle interlibrary loan requests.
Configuring SHAREit to Match Interlibrary Loan Workflow Personalities
What happens behind the scenes when an interlibrary loan request is placed to efficiently process the request? Every library handles Ill requests differently based on statewide configuration rules, individual library policies, staff workflow preferences, request volume, and more.
Every time an interlibrary loan request is placed, SHAREit builds a list of libraires that own the item and is willing to lend it. At that point, SHAREit begins to assemble a list of lenders based on the lender lists configured within the SHAREit system, which include:
- Preferred list with default lenders
- Randomized or ordered system-wide lender list
- Non-returnable or blocked lenders list
- Custom, multi-lender lists which can include libraries located geographically close to the requesting library, saving on shipping costs
- SHAREit’s exclusive Inter-System Sharing Initiative (ISSI), providing access to over 900 participating libraries
Lender lists, automation settings, and organizational personalities play crucial roles in ILL workflows. By understanding these components and extending them with data-informed strategies, libraries can create more efficient, resilient, and user‑centered resource‑sharing environments.
To get the best interlibrary loan fulfillment rates, libraries should keep configurations up to date, use multi-list routing, be curious and investigate unfulfilled requests, and take advantage of ISSI, where over 900 participating libraries across North America share indexes of items available for lending.
Why Understanding Interlibrary Loan Workflow Personalities Matter in a Statewide Network
Interlibrary loan workflow personalities matter because statewide resource‑sharing systems must support dozens or even hundreds of libraries that all operate differently—yet still need to work together seamlessly. Some libraries maximize automation to accelerate fulfillment, while others take a more hands‑on approach to protect special collections or manage high request volumes. These differences influence lender‑list logic, turnaround times, and how consistently requests move through the network.
When statewide systems use an interlibrary loan system like SHAREit, the system can be customized to each library’s preferred style—whether highly automated, largely manual, or somewhere in between—every participant benefits. Libraries maintain their autonomy, statewide administrators gain predictable performance, and patrons experience faster, more reliable access to materials. Understanding these personalities helps statewide leaders design better configurations, training, and support, ultimately improving fill rates and ensuring equitable access across the entire network.
Every interlibrary loan department experiences having a single request zip through the system while another one lingers, awaiting fulfillment. From patron discovery to through delivery and return, the answers sometimes can be found by examining the personalities managing the lender list automation options, staff preferences, comfort with automation, and unique local policies.
Common interlibrary loan workflow personality types include:
- Automation Architects tailor SHAREit to handle lender selection, retries, re-sending and more, depending on how they have set-up their lender lists. These Ill champions are fully engaged, fine-tuning the many SHAREit options to handle the interlibrary load end-to-end request lifecycle, demonstrating consistent high fulfillment requests.
- Inquisitive Investigators who trust the system to select the best list, but prefer to manually intervene for retries, preferring their own selection based on other in-library criteria. The inquisitive ILL investigator looks at operational changes that can improve the interlibrary loan workflow activity for a particular request.
- Cautious Manual Masters require manual routing of materials, often to save costs and to manually keep track of rare items.
- Hybrid Harmonizers who move from curiosity to automated architects to manual mediation, picking and choosing to blend skillsets and personalities to match staffing, interlibrary loan volume, request complexity and comfort with automation.
With SHAREit, libraries can choose how much automation aligns with their interlibrary library loan personality type, lenders, and most importantly, their customers.
Not every library needs to stay in one personality category. With curiosity and training, a Manual Master can begin to use more advanced practices and move toward taking advantage of advanced automations as their trust with the systems automation options increases.
Want help identifying your library’s interlibrary loan personality?
Take this resource sharing self-assessment quiz to find out, then request an interlibrary loan workflow review with one of our SHAREit interlibrary loan consultants, schedule a call today!
What kind of interlibrary loan personality does your library have?
- Manual Master – Your library prefers an ‘eyes on’ approach to all ILL activities with ‘hands-on’ control
- Inquisitive Investigator – Your library has a focus on process improvement and accuracy
- Automation Architect – Your library fully embraces advanced automations, smart routing, and streamlined workflows
- Hybrid Harmonizer – Your library intentionally balances interlibrary loan automation with local policies and workflows
Frequently Asked Questions About Interlibrary Loan Workflow Personalities
What is an interlibrary loan workflow personality?
An interlibrary loan workflow personality describes the way a library approaches managing ILL requests—ranging from highly automated processes to fully manual oversight. Workflow personalities reflect differences in staff preferences, comfort with automation, request volume, local policies, and how each library balances speed, accuracy, and cost control in their interlibrary loan environment.
Why do workflow personalities matter in statewide interlibrary loan networks?
Statewide interlibrary loan systems include dozens or hundreds of libraries, each with its own staffing models, policies, automation settings, and lending priorities. Understanding workflow personalities allows statewide administrators to configure systems like SHAREit for consistent routing, predictable turnaround times, and equitable access—even when participating libraries operate very differently.
How does SHAREit improve interlibrary loan workflows?
SHAREit enhances interlibrary loan workflows by automating lender selection, routing, retries, and status updates; supporting multi‑list lender logic; enabling statewide configuration controls; and offering flexible settings that match each library’s unique workflows. Libraries can increase fulfillment speed, reduce workload, and maintain better visibility into request stages.
What factors most influence interlibrary loan fulfillment speed?
Fulfillment speed in interlibrary loan workflows depends on lender list configuration, staff intervention preferences, shipping or delivery methods, item availability, policy restrictions, automation settings, and network‑wide performance. Libraries that optimize lender lists, maintain updated configurations, and leverage automation typically see the fastest ILL turnaround times.
How do lender lists impact interlibrary loan success rates?
Lender lists determine which libraries are selected to fulfill a request, in what order, and under what conditions. Well‑configured lender lists reduce delays, increase fill rates, and lower shipping costs. Multi‑list routing, preferred lenders, ISSI participation, and avoiding blocked or unavailable lenders are all key to improving interlibrary loan success.
How can libraries improve their interlibrary loan workflows?
Libraries can improve ILL workflows by reviewing automation settings regularly, updating lender lists, monitoring unfilled requests, participating in programs like ISSI, and aligning system configuration with their workflow personality. Training staff to understand automation tools and statewide rules also leads to more consistent fulfillment performance.
When should a library consider adjusting its interlibrary loan workflow personality?
A library should revisit its workflow personality when request volume changes, staffing shifts occur, new policies are introduced, fulfillment speed declines, or automation capabilities expand. Many libraries move from manual to hybrid or automated approaches as they gain confidence in SHAREit’s routing and lender‑selection automation.
What is North America’s most popular interlibrary loan automation solution?
SHAREit is North America’s most popular interlibrary loans solution for library-to-library resource sharing.
