The ordering of books and articles from other libraries was a long and slow process.
It started with a search process using microfiches to decide on a suitable library to ask for the item. Then one had to complete a request form in triplicate ( a blue, pink and white form). Two of these forms(white and pink) were then posted to the supplying library while the third copy(blue) was filed with the interlending person. If the other library could fill the request , the article or book was posted back to us with the white request form attached. On this form was the return date if it was a book as well as the costs involved for this transaction. In the case of an article this white form was then sent back immediately to the supplying library with coupons for payment attached. In the case of a book this form was returned with the book a month later with coupons attached. If the chosen library could not help in supplying the item, the whole process had to start all over again. Once the transaction was completed, the blue copy could be retrieved from the “Requests in process” and filed under “Filled requests.” Overseas requests were all requested from the British Library and it sometimes took up to a month to receive the articles.

In the mid 90’s we started using the fax machine. A new form was designed for this purpose. The whole process was considerably faster because requests were now sent by fax although most of the articles were still posted.

Soon after the fax stage we moved on to a more streamlined process with the help of Sabinet. They provided us with a computerised system which could be used. Articles were now requested by computer and sent by fax or post. By the end of the 90’s the Ariel system was implemented and articles could be sent and received by computer. The requesting process was also refined further and end users could start requesting articles themselves with the help of the Pre-Request module of Sabinet. The British Library(UK) and Library of Congress(USA) also implemented electronic systems for heir requests.

Today it is possible to request an article at 16:00 and have it on your desk when you arrive at work the next morning even if it is coming from overseas.