The Invisible Infrastructure Behind 80,000 Interlibrary Loans

Interlibrary loan appears simple on the surface. When a student in Prince George needs a book held in Abbotsford, or a researcher in Kelowna needs an article from Vancouver, they can request these items in just a few clicks through their local library website. Within moments, the request is complete… but the item’s journey across the province is only just beginning. What looks simple on the surface depends on a complex network of 104 public and post-secondary libraries working together across British Columbia and the Yukon. And behind every request are librarians and library workers who locate, process, ship, receive, and manage materials, ensuring resources move efficiently between locations. 

For a closer look at Illume’s impact and recent work, see the 2025 Actions & Achievements report, along with our one-page printable infographic outlining the service’s key benefits. 

Since 2015 BC ELN has administered the Illume service, formerly known as OutLook OnLine, which supports resource sharing between public and post-secondary libraries and the staff who coordinate lending and borrowing across those institutions. Over the past eight years, the service has averaged approximately 80,000 interlibrary loans annually (excluding 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when ILL was temporarily halted). The Illume Support Centre, staffed by BC ELN librarians, stewards this work, keeping the service running reliably. 

Illume runs on the SHAREit platform. While the technology connects systems, resource sharing ultimately relies on library staff at participating institutions who respond to requests and coordinate the movement of materials. In 2025, the service underwent a major infrastructure upgrade, moving to updated servers to improve both stability and security. This transition was carefully planned and tested in collaboration with the vendor Auto-Graphics and Simon Fraser University IT Services, resulting in a smooth migration with minimal disruption for libraries and users. Alongside improved performance and security, the updated infrastructure also lays the groundwork for future improvements and continued development. 

The Illume Support Centre acts as a “one-stop shop” for member library staff seeking help and guidance. The Illume website provides detailed guides and tutorials, and staff can also take part in live online training sessions led by the Support Centre. The Centre’s role becomes especially visible during disruptions. When interlibrary loan deliveries were affected by Canada Post labour action last year, the Support Centre quickly shared updated workflows and practical guidance to help libraries adapt. Once service resumed, it followed up with recommendations to support a smooth return to normal operations. But the Support Centre’s role extends beyond day-to-day support; it also plays an important part in advocating for members. 

Individually, libraries have limited influence with vendors. Through coordinated effort, however, the Support Centre continually advocates for Illume members with Auto-Graphics, the SHAREit platform vendor. This advocacy has paid off: at least nine Illume-community software recommendations have been implemented by Auto-Graphics over the past several years. In a collaborative service like Illume, individual feedback becomes a collective voice. This also reduces the need for library staff to manage vendor communication themselves. Instead, they can rely on the Illume Support Centre to gather input, raise issues, and work toward system improvements on their behalf. 

Interlibrary loan may look effortless from the user's perspective, but behind 80,000 annual interlibrary loans is a coordinated provincial system that makes each request possible. Illume, the Support Centre, and the librarians and library workers at participating libraries all play a role in ensuring that library materials continue to reach patrons across British Columbia and the Yukon.