Building a Sustainable Future for Resource Sharing in a Changing World: Findings on international resource sharing payment methods from global surveys

Libraries around the world have relied on international resource sharing networks to support the institutional mission of teaching and learning, enrich their diverse user populations, and fulfill users’ needs. One of the major barriers for international resource sharing services is financial transactions. Issues on international resource sharing payment methods have repeatedly appeared in several studies over the past decade. Libraries across the globe are using different methods to pay and charge their international resource sharing borrowing and lending fees. This paper reviews the history and challenges of the international resource sharing payment systems and shares surveys’ results from the American Library Association Reference & User Services Association Sharing and Transforming Access to Resources Section International Interlibrary Loan Committee and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) technical committee 46/subcommittee 4/Ad Hoc Group 1 (hereinafter referenced as ISO TC 46/SC 4/AHG 1) for Interlibrary Loan Financial Transactions. The paper further discusses findings from these global surveys and makes recommendations for future development. Keywords: Resource Sharing; Financial transactions; Interoperability standards; Workflows; International perspectives