DUBLIN, Ohio, Feb. 21, 1994--Norma Jean Scott, interlibrary loan specialist for library services at Virginia Commonwealth University, logged the 49 millionth OCLC interlibrary loan request on Feb. 3. It was the second ILL gold record for Ms. Scott, who captured the 39 millionth request 18 months ago.

It was just as much fun the second time, she said.

"I was very busy at the time," said Ms. Scott. "I have to admit, I knew I was coming up on a millionth. I was trying to hit it. I was moving requests as quickly as I possibly could. When I hit the millionth, I was so excited. There were high-fives all around."

The 49 millionth OCLC interlibrary loan request was for the article, "Needlework Suggestions," from the journal, Art Amateur. The request was filled Feb. 4 by the University of Virginia library.

On July 31, 1992, Ms. Scott logged the 39 millionth OCLC interlibrary loan request.

Virginia Commonwealth University comprises an academic campus, served by James Branch Cabell Library, and a medical campus, served by Tompkins-McCaw Library. The two libraries borrowed 5,475 items and lent 23,175 during the 1992/93 fiscal year.

"We've seen a great increase in interlibrary loan recently," said Ms. Scott. "We recently added several online databases and e-mail access that makes it easier for patrons to place--and for staff to read--interlibrary loan requests. I also think a lot more people are aware of interlibrary loan now than ever before."

Virginia Commonwealth University is a public-supported institution located in Richmond. "Since we have an urban campus, many of our students live off campus and commute," said Ms. Scott. "But we get students from all over the world, with all kinds of interests in a variety of fields. I get a pretty good education myself just keeping up on interlibrary loans."

James Branch Cabell Library is a member of SOLINET.

The 49 millionth interlibrary loan request came 64 days after the Rivera Library at the University of California, Riverside, logged the 48 millionth.

The First OCLC ILL Subsystem was activated in 1979. In 1992, OCLC's new interlibrary loan system, PRISM ILL, was implemented. In the 1992/93 fiscal year, 5,500 libraries arranged over 6.5 million loans on OCLC's interlibrary loan system, the most widely used ILL network in the world.

OCLC is a nonprofit computer library service and research organization whose computer network and services link more than 17,000 libraries in 52 countries and territories.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: Nita Dean (614) 761-5002