Managing short loan collections in academic libraries: print and electronic alternatives for the new learning environment

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Abstract
Many academic libraries are currently caught between the pressures of increasing library usage and reduced budgets. Traditionally, short loan or reserve collections addressed this issue by increasing core text availability through ‘rationing’ the length of loan periods. As pressures increased, so libraries have tried to make this technique more efficient. However, the extension of the short loan collection principle can bring its own problems and these problems are examined through the various approaches to print short loan collections adopted by the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK, reflecting specific responses to the needs of users at different campuses. Considers the increases in efficiency which might be achieved through the introduction of ResIDe, an electronic reserve collection system designed to address the issue of the ‘peak demand periods’ and to meet the needs of each user group whilst providing a service which does not disadvantage others.