Edit this page

GLASS BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND ILL CODE OF CONDUCT

GLASS NETWORK

The GLASS Database, established in mid 2000, is a Web-based resource sharing initiative between the special libraries of GLINN (Government Libraries Information Network) and LOTSS (Libraries of The Social Sciences).  GLASS (Government Libraries and Social Sciences) provides its members with a platform that enables easy access to a shared database of holdings and administration of interlibrary loans.  Membership of the GLASS Network is open to all GLINN  and LOTSS libraries for an annual fee of  $120 including GST (2003). 

Success of the Network depends entirely on the cooperation of all member libraries. Our "Interlibrary Loan Code of Conduct" appears below.  The main obligation is that GLASS members list their journal holdings on the Network and in so doing make them available for interlibrary loan at no cost to other members.  Interlibrary loan requests can be sent on-line or via fax. For further information on membership contact gblayney@energy.com.au - see below for phone numbers.

GLINN - Background

The Government Special Libraries Group was established in 1982. By the end of 1994 it was re-named GLINN - Government Libraries and Information Network in New South Wales. The name change was prompted by the need to update the image of the group but essentially the work and raison d'etre of GLINN continued to be the same.  GLINN acts as a formal mechanism that allows library and information services in NSW government agencies to co-operate on a wide range of issues. Resource sharing between members and organising consortia purchasing is facilitated by GLINN wherever possible to improve cost effectiveness of obtaining information. You can visit the GLINN Website at: http://www.ilanet.net.au/clients/glinn/.

For GLINN members who want details on adding holdings to the Database please contact GLASS Moderator, Gayle Blayney gblayney@energy.com.au  Tel: 9269 2192

LOTSS - Background

The Libraries of the Social Sciences network commenced in 1981 with 23 libraries represented  at the inaugural meeting in Sydney. The group was formed to fight the many closures of small specialised social science libraries in the 1980’s. It continues as a strong network of specialised libraries that meets quarterly to exchange information, hear guest speakers and offer free Inter Library Loans between members. The group is an informal network of libraries from Commonwealth and State Government Departments, Unions, Community and Society libraries.

The present membership is 40.

Glass Interlibrary Loan Code of Conduct.

GLASS is a co-operative of special libraries from the GLINN and LOTSS networks.  It provides its members with a platform that enables easy access and administration of interlibrary loans.  It has been built on the experience of the GRATIS health network and the web-based platform developed by the Prosenteint Systems Pty Ltd. 

The system only works with everyone’s co-operation and adherence to a few basic rules of operation.

General rules:

Provide a free, fast service to others and receive the same consideration in return.

GLASS is a closed network.  Do not give out information regarding member libraries or their holdings.

Keep your holding information up-to-date.  For assistance, contact the working group co-ordinators :

Gayle Blayney – ph 02 9269 2192 – gblayney@energy.com.au

Follow the ranking.  Libraries have been ranked in order.  Use the library at the top of the list first, then the second and so on.   These rankings will be revised according to usage.

Ranking attempts to share the work load across libraries.  Statistics will enable us to identify the most used libraries and collections and therefore to determine your library’s ranking ie. Whether your library is listed first or in which position in the list of libraries holding a journal.

Statistics The number of successful loans made both to and from your library need to be recorded.  The number of successful loans  (both ways) can be generated automatically by performing a “Directory” search on your NUC symbol (see the section “Editing library information” in the Online Manual).  The number of sucvcessfuul loans will be sufficient for most libraries, but if your library makes many unsuccessful requests you may wish to keep track of these and deduct them from your total.

Statistics must be kept by each library, recording loans both ways, for the period from 1 September to the end of August each year.  You will need to submit these to a member of the Steering Committee as soon as possible after the 31 August each year.

Faxes. A member may refuse to send a request by fax.  Charges will not be levied for faxing requests.  When requesting faxed items - try to limit requests for long articles.

Urgent requests – Please send urgent requests by fax or email.

Address list. It is important that your entry in the address list / membership directory is up to date. 

For instructions – see GLASS ONLINE manual p 9.

Correspondence

It is important that all GLASS members subscribe to the GLASS e-list as this is how everyone knows what is going on.  This includes library closures and GLASS  “down” time.  For instructions on subscribing to the list-serve see

p. 17 of the GLASS ONLINE manual.

Processing requests.

If you are unable to fulfill a request, please notify the requesting library as soon as possible.

Working Group :

Gayle Blayney – ph 02 9269 2192 – gblayney@energy.com.au