Interentry

Interentry is a term used primarily in the context of interlibrary loan (ILL) and document delivery services, referring to the process of requesting and receiving materials from another library or institution. The concept is rooted in the collaborative effort of libraries to provide access to resources that are not available within their own collections. When an item is not found in a library’s local holdings, an interentry request is made to another participating library, often through a centralized system such as WorldCat or national library networks.

The procedure typically involves the requesting library submitting a request via an online catalog or interlibrary loan system, specifying the title, author, format, and desired delivery method. The borrowing library then evaluates the request, often prioritizing items based on factors like relevance, urgency, and availability. Once approved, the item is shipped to the requesting library, which then dispatches it to the patron. Some systems allow for electronic delivery, such as digital copies of articles or scanned pages, reducing the need for physical transfers.

Interentry systems vary in complexity, with some offering automated workflows and real-time tracking, while others rely on manual processing. Costs may be covered by the requesting library or shared between institutions, depending on the agreement. This practice enhances resource sharing, ensuring that patrons have access to a broader range of materials than would otherwise be available to a single library. It remains a fundamental aspect of modern library services, supporting research, education, and cultural access.