Collaborative efforts included funding, partnerships, and staff development. The HSL purchased the open face scanner, the necessary software, and a hard drive for its support server. Digital document delivery is fast, convenient, a sought-after service as users take advantage of their Internet skills, and another expansion of the virtual library. Relais Express commercial software promises even more flexibility in providing multiple delivery options. An article received as an Ariel file is automatically converted to PDF and saved on our WVUL server.
Staff select the end user from the patron database.
An email is automatically sent to the patron who is able to access the document using a randomly assigned Personal Identification Number. We look forward to expanding our digital document delivery services to our many and varied library users. Electronic information delivery is, indeed, no longer the wave of the future but a service deemed essential by our Health Sciences Library users. Academic libraries in the United States and other English speaking countries involved in electronic reserve services are delivering information electronically to students on behalf of their faculties. At this time there are at least 136 known institutions offering these services.