WorldShare Interlibrary Loan digest, 2025
This digest summarizes the new features and enhancements introduced to WorldShare ILL in 2025. Here you’ll find recommended actions for enhancements that require you to configure/enable new functionality.
| Enhancement | Release date | More details |
|---|---|---|
| Allow patrons to specify their preference for electronic or print | February 2025 | Options are now available in OCLC Service Configuration, the patron request form, and the staff interface that allow you to optionally collect and record the patron’s preference for electronic versus print. |
| For libraries with WorldShare Circulation integration, utilize existing circulation integration settings for off-system requests | July 2025 | This functionality ensures that borrowing and lending activities are accurately reflected in WorldShare Circulation, even for requests fulfilled outside standard ILL workflows. |
| Staff interface being modernized for improved accessibility, usability, and navigation | November 2025 | Key areas updated included: WorldShare ILL home page, Search results page, Non-batch queues, Create Request page, Borrowing Requests (Purchase, Staff Notes, Request History), and more. |
| Use automation to identify multiple bibliographic records to expand potential lenders | December 2025 | By expanding the concept of bibliographic matching to allow for multiple acceptable matches rather than just one, more of your preferred lenders will be included in the lender string. See the release notes for full details. |
Important reminder, you can save staff time, speed delivery to your library users with these Smart fulfillment functionalities:
- Knowledge base coverage check automatically responds no for copy requests outside your library’s coverage or license terms
- Real-time availability for ILL significantly reduces the number of times you respond “no” and “In use, on loan”
- Automated Request Manager saves you time by automating routine borrowing and lending tasks
- Smart lender strings through the Automated Request Manager help you improve fill rates and turnaround times – Now with Intelligent timing!
- Express program, for libraries that qualify, gives you access to other fast copy suppliers to get materials to your users even faster
Also see these tips to Improve turnaround time and the Turnaround Time dashboards for finding and tracking your average lending and borrowing turnaround time.