You may have heard that there are changes coming to the library’s InterLibrary Loan program. We are now part of a new statewide initiative called SRCS: Statewide Remote Circulation Service.
What is SRCS?
SRCS, Indiana’s Statewide Remote Circulation Service, links together the catalogs of multiple Indiana libraries into a single interface which allows authorized users to search the library collections of over 150 Hoosier libraries and then to place requests for materials owned any of those participating libraries. The requested materials will be delivered to the user’s home library for their use.
How do you pronounce SRCS?
SRCS is pronounced like “Circs”
What does SRCS do?
The purpose of SRCS is to offer a virtual Indiana union catalog for participating libraries through which patrons can request materials from other participating library systems and have them delivered to their local library using the InfoExpress library courier.
How long do materials circulate on SRCS?
The recommendation of the Resource Sharing Committee is for the minimum loan period for all materials in SRCS to be 21 days.
How are renewals handled?
Patrons can log into SRCS and view the status or request renewals for their active requests. It is up to the owning library to either grant or deny this renewal request.
How big is this virtual union catalog?
Phase I of SRCS includes 52 academic libraries, 113 public libraries and 2 special libraries, including the Indiana State Library. That combined catalog contains over 30 million items. That is larger than the collections of Library of Congress or Harvard University Library.
Does this mean I can borrow anything that I find in the SRCS Catalog?
No. Each library defines the materials that they are willing to offer through SRCS. Typically this excludes items in reference collections or items in high demand locally.
Can I request photocopies through SRCS?
No. SRCS is intended for returnable items only.
Is there a list of the libraries that are participating?
Yes. A list of the libraries participating in Phase I of the SRCS project is available at http://in.gov/library/SRCS.htm.
What happens if my library isn’t participating?
Participation in SRCS is strictly voluntary. Each library gets to decide whether they want to participate or not.
How much does it cost for my library to join SRCS?
At the present time there is no cost to the participating libraries for this service. The State Library has agreed to pay for the setup and annual connection fee for all participants.
Are there any hidden costs for my library?
There are no hidden costs, however based upon our experience with a similar functionality; we are advising that participating libraries could see an increase in the volume of resource sharing both from their collection and for their patrons.
How can my library join SRCS?
A sixty day window for libraries to join in Phase II will open on December 1, 2016. Interested libraries are invited to submit a letter of intent at that time.
How do I get more information about SRCS?
Contact Statewide Services at the Indiana State Library at StatewideServices@library.in.gov or 1-800-451-6028 if you need more information about the SRCS program.
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