No fate but what we make? Current trends and challenges in the UK document supply community

Purpose – This paper seeks to provide a practitioner-based review of the broad issues, challenges and opportunities that currently exist within the UK document supply sector. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on a survey and personal discussions with individuals across the sector, backed up by a literature review and background research. Findings – Currently, there are a number of areas of particular concern facing UK interlenders. Most interlenders in the UK are experiencing a reduction in patron requests, and an upswing in direct requests from other libraries. Other challenges include the reduction in funding and subsequent impacts on services, the lending of electronic documents restricted by rights management software and licences, as well as the opportunities and potential threats offered by open access resources. Finally there seems to be a need to demonstrate effectively to senior management the value of interlending services to patrons. Originality/value – The paper provides an overview of developments in interlending within the UK sector by a current practitioner and service manager.