NN/LM Dragonfly:Pay For ILL Requests Via Computer

[NNLM PNR]

You Submit Interlibrary Loan Requests Via Computer; Why Not Pay For Them
That Way?

By Ralph D. Arcari, Ph.D., Edward Donnald, M.L.S., and Colleen Giblin

Here is an update from the Electronic Fund Transfer System, more commonly
referred to as EFTS. If youre not a member, then we invite you to take a
closer look and see how EFTS can benefit your library. If you are a
member, there are some exciting new changes to be looking for this year.

EFTS, its popularity and its use, is expanding across the country. The
University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, CT, is home to one
of the largest electronic billing systems used by members of the NN/LM.
Established in 1996 by the New England Regional Medical Library, the
system now has over 700 participants from 39 states and the District of
Columbia. Within the last 6 months, there has been a 14% increase in
growth as more libraries are choosing to participate.

The concept is simple; the lending library submits a file to the system
administrator detailing which loans it wishes to bill for. The file
contains the basic information outlined in a DOCLINE request, in addition
to the amount it is billing for that loan. The files are processed--the
system credits the lending library account, less a 3% surcharge and debits
the borrowing library account. A detailed monthly statement shows each
library exactly what it collected, what it paid for and which was other
library in each transaction, in addition to request number and citation
data. While third party front-end software, such as QuickDOC, Clio and
ILLiad, make quick work of creating a data file, they are not needed in
order to participate in EFTS.

2002 saw a number of highlights in EFTS:

    * In May of 2002, the National Library of Medicine announced its
support of EFTS as a national initiative, as well as its own anticipated
participation in 2003.
    * A 3-year contract was signed between EFTS and NLM in the fall of
2002.
    * The NN/LM DOCLINE Coordinators were involved in a review of the new
EFTS website and NLM assisted in implementing many of the suggestions.
(Take a moment to glance over the website at http://efts.uchc.edu. The
revised pages should debut by March of 2003.)
    * The EFTS-L listserv was created. (Both current and interested
parties should subscribe. Announcements of new members are routinely
posted, as well as developments in the EFTS office.) The listserv is open
to comment by those who are using EFTS and inquires by those who are
thinking of using EFTS. Please feel free to make comments/inquiries as
needed to assist in your decision-making process. As always, your general
comments are also welcome. To sign on, go to
	http://library.uchc.edu/efts/listserv.html
    * EFTS was given the ability to make note in the DOCUSER record, as
well as the library group EFTS, as new libraries establish participation.
Libraries can now use this information to assist with routing table
decisions

2003 is also beginning with a bang!!

    * The RFP to have EFTS upgraded to a web-based product was approved by
NLM in January and sent out in early February. We are very excited about
the potential for our participants. With this upgrade you will see many
improvements:
          o Secure online accounts
          o The ability to view account information in real time
          o Access statements from your PC whenever you choose
          o Improved decision-making tools are also anticipated among the
changes. A vendor should be selected by the spring with development to
commence shortly thereafter.
    * The EFTS office has been running test files submitted by the NLM.
Look for announcements from NLM, as they move forward with preparation for
migration to EFTS for their DOCLINE billing.
    * Invitations to nominate members for the EFTS Advisory Committee were
sent out in February 2003. This group will assist with insuring that
regional perspectives will be represented.

On a final note, if you are planning on attending MLA in San Diego this
year, take an opportunity to look us up. We will be holding an informal
meeting, available at the NLM exhibit booth and will have a Chapter
Sharing Roundtable. We look forward to seeing you in San Diego!

If you are a current participant, please review the EFTS Policies and
Procedures available on the website, if you havent done so recently. Also,
make it a point to join EFTS-L, in order to stay current with ongoing
developments. If your library is considering, or is planning to join EFTS,
take a look at the FAQs on the website. Our office is fully staffed and we
look forward working with you and answering your questions. As always, you
can give us a call toll free at 1-866-561-5045, drop us an e-mail at
efts at uchc.edu or visit the website at http://efts.uchc.edu. We look
forward to hearing from you!

The EFTS Staff,
Ralph, Colleen & Ed

Note: In honor of their work on EFTS, Ralph and Ed are the recipients of
the 2003 ISI/Frank Bradway Rogers Information Advancement Award, which
will be presented to them at the MLA Annual Meeting in San Diego, this
coming May.

For a companion article read "New EFTS Members in the Pacific Northwest."

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Dragonfly is the newsletter of the National Network of Libraries of
Medicine, Pacific Northwest Region. Produced by NN/LM PNR, under NLM
Contract N01-LM-1-3516.  Maryanne Blake, Editor, blakema at u.washington.edu.
Michael Boer, Publication Manager, boerm at u.washington.edu.  Dragonfly
is transmitted by e-mail via HLIB-NW and PNRNews.

This and all Dragonfly articles are best viewed on the World Wide Web at:
        http://nnlm.gov/pnr/news/

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