Kaukopalvelua

Kaukopalvelua, often translated as interlibrary loan or document supply, is a service that allows patrons of one library to borrow materials from another library. This service is essential for expanding access to information beyond the holdings of a single institution. Libraries participating in kaukopalvelu agreements work together to share their collections, making a wider range of books, journals, articles, and other documents available to their users.

The process typically begins with a patron identifying a needed item that is not available in their local library's collection. The patron then requests the item through their library, which acts as an intermediary. The request is forwarded to another library that is known or believed to possess the item. If the lending library agrees to the request and the item is available, it is then sent to the borrowing library for the patron to use.

Kaukopalvelu can be crucial for researchers, students, and the general public who require access to specialized or rare materials. It helps to democratize access to knowledge by overcoming the physical limitations of individual library collections. Many libraries offer kaukopalvelu as a standard part of their services, often with minimal or no cost to the patron, though some fees may apply for certain types of requests or for expedited delivery. This collaborative approach among libraries strengthens the overall information ecosystem and ensures that a broader audience can benefit from diverse resources.