Academic library cooperation and document supply: possibilities and considerations of cost-effectiveness

The article discusses options for cooperative document supply which formed part of a large research project in the East Midlands. Modelling was carried out, based on collected data, to establish the cost-effectiveness of various forms of document supply It was concluded that only if British Library Document Supply Centre (BLDSC) charges were to rise substantially would a local system become worthy of senous consideration as a potential cost saver figures were suggested at which it would be cost-effective to consider local schemes if BLDSC moved towards full cost recovery The possibility of contracting out was also considered.