My name is Elaine Dean and I'm Head of Access to Library Services at University of Sheffield.  My remit includes responsibility for the provision of document supply services, additional support for disabled customers, distance learners and international students, as well as the provision of services to external customers.  In addition I'm Customer Services Manager at the University's Health Sciences Library based at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.  I've worked in the field of interlending since 1990 and my previous post was Document Supply and Distance Learning Service Manager during which time, I was a member of the FIL committee, acting as Membership Secretary.  I helped organise a number of FIL conferences including the one held at University of Sheffield in 2004 and produced a couple of FIL publications, one on theses interlending and one on charging (seems a long time ago now!)

Prior to this I've done everything from running a business library to setting up a local authority information network.  My experience has been in both public and academic libraries in Sheffield, Leeds and Leicester.

Fit for Purpose? a review of the document supply service at University of Sheffield.

The University of Sheffield is currently undertaking a thorough review of document supply services with the aim of providing a streamlined, simple to use service for in stock material as well as items ordered from outside.  The project involves:

• A thorough costing of the service 

• An investigation of what customers want in the new commercial environment 

• An examination of the technical and legal issues surrounding the introduction of self-service requesting 

• An exploration of new technologies for requesting through different interfaces, using several request options 

• A review of current procedures and practices in light of changes in demand, BL charging, open access and e-theses developments

The project is due to report in summer 2009 and this paper gives a flavour of some of the investigations and findings as well as some techniques used and outcomes achieved.