Interlending and document supply: a review of the recent literature: 79

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the literature concerning interlending and document supply and related matters.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on the reading of over 150 journals, as well as monographs, reports and websites.Findings – This study finds that the prices of the big deals are under greater attack than ever. Alternatives are being actively explored. A more assertive approach is being adopted to expand the role of open access and both national and international newspapers as well as magazines such as The Economist have given it much favourable coverage in the last quarter. Resistance is growing, particularly in the UK, to the publishers' ability to override copyright law in their contracts with libraries.Originality/value – This is the only regular literature review that focuses on document supply and related issues.