The conceptualization of processes for handling online requests of information resources in academic libraries in South Africa: Experience from an Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) environment

Abstract This article aims to present the Open Distance eLearning library processes for requesting information resources using the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC). OPAC is known as a platform used by library clients to check the availability of information resources from the entire library collection. ODeL libraries also use the OPAC, not as a library catalogue, but as a portal for requesting information resources. The processes presented in this articles starts from when the library clients request information resources when the requests reach the library/library staff, how the online requests are handled when received, how they are sent to the requesters, how the information resources are sent back to the library after use by the requesters and the process of receiving the returned information resources.