UVa Library Press Releases 1999 - 2000
LIBRARY OFFERING NEW PURCHASE EXPRESS SERVICE
Contacts: For more information about Purchase Express, contact Lynda Clendenning at (804) 924-6635 or by e-mail at lfc9k@virginia.edu . For more information about LEO, contact Doug Hurd at (804) 924-0507 or by e-mail at hurd@virginia.edu
April 3, 2000 - The University of Virginia Library now offers Purchase Express -- a service for users that expedites requests to buy books and other materials not currently available in the Library.
Purchase Express complements the Library‰s research collections building efforts and its popular Library Express On-Grounds (LEO) service by offering users access to literature and information when, where, and how they need them. The combined power of Purchase Express and LEO provides timely access to the world‰s literature and information to an extent never before possible. "On-line bookstores boast of having a few million or so titles," said Deputy University Librarian Kendon Stubbs. "Through Purchase Express and LEO we now offer quick access to over 50 million titles available through purchase from on-line vendors or by borrowing from over 6,000 libraries around the world, including all of the world‰s major research libraries."
The Library‰s subject librarians, who are responsible for working with users to build the Library‰s collections, are excited to offer this expedited ordering service. If a user asks for a book that is in print in the U.S., Purchase Express will try to obtain it within one week. Using both the University Bookstore and technologies such as e-mail, publisher websites, and Internet book services such as Amazon and Bibliofind, the Library is now able to deliver purchased items to users in a shorter amount of time than in traditional libraries. Titles published outside of the U.S. may take longer, but delivery time has been reduced, according to Library officials. "Through Purchase Express we are able to use technology to offer faculty and students customized and expedited services for acquiring new library books," said Director of Acquisitions Lynda Clendenning.
With LEO, the Library's interlibrary loan and document delivery service, faculty, students, and staff of the University can request materials be borrowed that are not held in a U.Va. Library, but are available through interlibrary loan. LEO borrows an average of 23,000 books and articles a year from other libraries. "With the borrowing power of LEO and the ability to buy materials by means of Purchase Express, users of the Library now have access to virtually any book or article they require," said Director of Interlibrary Services Doug Hurd.
To use Purchase Express, a request form can be accessed via "request purchase" links on the Library‰s World Wide Web homepage, at http://lib.virginia.edu, and in VIRGO under "User Services." Users can also submit requests by e-mail to library@virginia.edu , by phone at (804) 924-3021, or in writing to Subject Librarians or to Reference Desks throughout the University Libraries.
For more information about Purchase Express, contact Lynda Clendenning at (804) 924-6635 or by e-mail at lfc9k@virginia.edu. For more information about LEO, contact Doug Hurd at (804) 924-0507 or by e-mail at hurd@virginia.edu.
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