UK Libraries Plus: a vital lifeline.

Abstract

UK Libraries Plus (UKLP), patterned after the successful London plus scheme, is a reciprocal borrowing and library access scheme covering 91 higher education libraries in England, Scotland, and Wales. In 1999, SCONUL (Society of College, National, and University Libraries) created a task force to look at services to distance learning students. UKLP was one of the initiatives that SCONUL chose to evaluate. A survey was proposed and a questionnaire (reproduced in the appendix) was developed. The questionnaire asked for basic information and comments about UKLP. It was sent to approximately 1300 registered users across the member libraries. A response rate of 39% was achieved, far beyond expectations. Results from the survey are discussed, with attention paid to three main concerns expressed by respondents (quota on number of books that could be borrowed, lack of computer access, and lack of Internet access). Many examples of comments are included, and the questionnaire is included in the appendix.