Docline News: Adding Your Library Hours

DOCLINE is the National Library of Medicine's interlibrary loan (ILL) request routing system. The purpose of the system is to improve access to biomedical literature for libraries in the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) and beyond.

DOCLINE has added the ability to input your library's hours of operation.

* Libraries can add their hours including time zone to their 'Manage Library >> library schedule'

* Applies only to US/CA libraries

* Time zones default to UTC, will need to be updated by libraries

To update your library schedule in DOCLINE, please follow these steps:

1. Log in to your DOCLINE account using your credentials.

2. Navigate to the "Library Schedule" section.

3. Review your current schedule and identify any gaps or outdated information.

4. Add new hours or make necessary changes to ensure accurate representation of your library's availability.

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please reach out to NLM by using the "Contact Us" feature within the DOCLINE system, or by sending an email to mailto:custserv@nlm.nih.gov.

Thank you,
-DOCLINE Team

Re-posted from The Docline-L Listserv 6-28-23

From MLA 23: Docline Spring Cleaning Checklist

See the pdf version of this checklist.

One of the most practical things I saw at the virtual MLA23 conference was a poster by Jill Daby, MLS, AHIP, and Margot Malachowski, MLS, AHIP, highlighting recommended best practices for libraries using the DOCLINE ILL system, including regular upkeep of a library's journal holdings and schedule, and steps to follow when a library closes (temporarily or permanently).

The poster shared data from the last two years from one rural library, demonstrating the impact of outdated library holdings: 138 unreceipted and unfilled requests. Multiply routing inefficiency across the 1500+ libraries currently using DOCLINE, and the effects are felt nationwide. Delayed and/or unfilled requests for biomedical information for our health care providers have the potential to impact patient care in every organization.

At the suggestion of colleagues, the authors offered to share their poster and the "Spring Cleaning" checklist far and wide to raise awareness about this issue and encourage action. 

• Please remember, DOCLINE requires a commitment to participate from the eligible libraries who use it. By maintaining our library profiles, DOCLINE can continue to fulfill its purpose since it's inception in 1985 of "increasing the speed and efficiency of biomedical ILL."

• Improving access to biomedical information changes patient lives. 

• In addition, ensuring prompt delivery supports the services our colleagues offer their institutions - advocacy for the profession.

Posted by permission of the authors.