In the case of the CityU Library, although more and more internal ILL requests are processed each year, the percentage of them being filled by overseas sources is actually decreasing. One possible reason for this phenomenon is the availability of full-text electronic databases. However, it is interesting to note that even with a portion of the demand met by full-text electronic databases, the number of ILL requests still show a net increase. Requests submitted by users via the online ILL forms available on the Library's Web page are downloaded onto the system and this saves library staff re-inputting the requests again. Citations of individual requests are reformatted into ARTEmail format automatically for further transmission to British Library.
Different libraries have different policies.
In the case of the CityU Library, requests for photocopying of journal articles from overseas libraries will be entertained free of charge. However, so far, not too many requests of that kind have been received. There are no consortium-wide ILL systems or networks available in Hong Kong. At present, the interlibrary loan automation systems of UGC libraries are totally independent. The systems are mainly in-house databases developed by library staff themselves and they are not integrated with one another in any sense.