The Fordham University library is currently ranked fifth among the top-lending libraries in the state. According to an article written by Janet Sassi for Inside Fordham, "during fiscal year 2006-2007, the library lent 16,614 books to other university libraries and public library systems, making it the fifth-largest lender in the state." The library is ranked 13th in the state in borrowing, having requested "10,179 titles from other libraries."
The Interlibrary Loan (ILL) system allows patrons of one library to request books and media that are offered at another location to be brought to another library. Faculty, students and other library patrons can search for a particular text online and receive it within a relatively short period of time.
"Our average turnaround time for lending is a day and a half, from the time we receive the request until the time we fill it," Charlotte Labbé, head of the Interlibrary Loan System at Fordham University, said in the original article. According to the original article, Fordham's library fills requests from, among others, CBS News, the Supreme Court Library and Time magazine.
Student reactions about the library's rankings have been positive. Those who frequent the university's three libraries (William D. Walsh Family Library, Quinn Library and Gaines Library) find that the comprehensive "collection of 2.2 million books" is one of the University's distinctive features and best assets.
"It's great that other universities recognize Fordham's resources as a national research University," Andrew Mastanduono, FCRH '09, said. "It's also good to know that Fordham is so generous with its literature."
"I have been able to find everything I need to complete papers, presentations, and other assignments professionally and in a timely manner," Tom Curtin, FCRH '08, a political science major, said. "The Fordham community should be proud of the ability to supply academic resources to outside organizations that are not as fortunate to possess the equivalent of Fordham's enviable collection."
Daniel Vance, FCRH '08, added to the praise of the library.
"I have always received the resources that I have needed, whether it's as simple as a New York Times bestseller or as scarce as a Soviet news journal," he said. "The library and its interlibrary loan system is one integral component of what makes Fordham a top research institution."
2008 Woodie Awards
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