Things Can Only Get Better? Interlending in 1997

In March 1997, the UK was on the cusp of change. A general election loomed, promising a shift in political direction, but beyond Westminster, transformations were taking place in education, technology, and libraries. Issue 24 of The FIL Newsletter captures a sector grappling with its own evolution—balancing tradition with modernisation, adjusting to market-driven reforms, and expanding access to information in new ways.

The Fat of the Land

One of the most pressing concerns in 1997 was funding. The newsletter contains multiple discussions on how libraries should manage document supply services in an era of financial scrutiny. There was debate over whether charging models were making access fairer or simply creating barriers. A report from the British Library Document Supply Centre (BLDSC) acknowledged this tension:

“While we recognise the need for cost recovery, we must also consider the impact on smaller institutions and their ability to participate in interlending networks.”

This concern mirrored broader discussions in education—university enrolment was expanding, but so was student debt. Libraries, like students, had to navigate new financial realities. BLDSC’s move to a banded pricing model was met with resistance, with one contributor remarking that:

“the new system benefits larger institutions at the expense of smaller libraries, effectively sidelining those with fewer resources.”

Libraries in 1997 were dealing with market shifts that would have lasting impacts. There were concerns that increased costs could drive some institutions to commercial suppliers instead. One article warned:

“If libraries do not assert their role in document delivery, commercial interests will step in and set the terms.”

This was an early recognition of a trend that continues today—the increasing tension between open access ideals and commercial control of academic resources.

OK Computer

The newsletter is filled with cautious optimism about emerging technologies. Fax remained an important tool, but electronic document delivery was increasingly seen as the next frontier. While some were eager for change, others remained sceptical, preferring the familiar over the untested. One contributor admitted:

“Fax is still how I send most of my requests—it’s reliable, immediate, and at least we know it works!”

This parallels  the wider digital revolution – In 1997, UK households were starting to embrace home internet access, yet connectivity was slow and expensive. Just as individuals were adjusting to online life, libraries were determining how best to integrate digital tools into their services. The newsletter highlights pilot projects exploring email-based document supply, with some libraries reporting early successes but also raising concerns about copyright compliance and technological reliability.

Dig Your Own Hole

Another undercurrent in Issue 24 was the growing anxiety over copyright compliance. Changes in copyright law were beginning to place greater constraints on interlibrary lending, and some librarians expressed frustration over restrictive interpretations. One contributor argued:

“The increasing complexity of copyright regulations makes it harder for libraries to serve their users. We spend more time checking what we can and cannot supply than actually supplying documents.”

This issue was particularly relevant as electronic document delivery gained traction. Some feared that digital copies would be subject to stricter controls than their print counterparts, a concern that has since proven well-founded in modern licensing agreements. The newsletter called for clearer guidance on how copyright law should be applied to evolving technologies, echoing a debate that continues to shape library services today.

Be Here Now

The March 1997 FIL Newsletter presents a snapshot of an interlending world in flux. Economic pressures, technological advancements, and shifting market dynamics all shaped the discussions of the day. Some of these issues feel firmly rooted in their time, but others remain strikingly relevant. Libraries today still wrestle with questions of cost, access, and their place in an increasingly digital world. In 1997, interlending stood at a crossroads—caught between old and new, balancing tradition with the push for modernisation. There was a sense of optimism, of libraries expanding their reach and influence, yet also a quiet anxiety about the forces shaping the future.

You can read issue 24 of The FIL Newsletter in our journal archive.