ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT DELIVERY : AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

Sophisticated access mechanisms, spiraling serials costs, new technologies and growing researcher needs and expectations are all driving libraries to reassess basic assumptions about interlibrary loan and document delivery. This article deals with document delivery service, its needs, characteristics and types. It discusses electronic document, motives and components of electronic document delivery. Trends and implications for the future have been highlighted. The article points out that the full benefits of an electronic document delivery system can not be realised until discovery, ordering and delivery are integrated. The article ends with fundamental questions about structure and operation of delivery service in administrative,technical and legal areas.