Global implications of Rapid: an international system facilitating inexpensive resource sharing

Abstract

This paper will briefly describe the Rapid system which facilitates interlending of articles between libraries, and obtaining articles from document suppliers, and open access journals. A basic description of how the system works along with strengths and weaknesses of the system will be identified followed by analysis of how well those system aspects can be applied globally. System elements analyzed include turnaround, fill rates, how easy the system is to use, support and capabilities of the system vendor. International implications including copyright, ability to interact with various types of interlibrary loan managing systems, scanning and human interactions will be reviewed. This paper will conclude with an assessment to whether a system like Rapid can impact efficient global sharing of information.