Reports on two recent surveys carried out by the IFLA Office for
International Lending. The first, in 1991, showed fiction to be the poor
relation in interlending. Reasons for this include slight demand, poor
representation in union catalogues and the association of fiction with
“frivolous” leisure reading. Nothing seems to be known about
the nature of demand for fiction, some of which may be for serious
research. There are several possible systems for access to, and the
supply of, fiction for interlending. The second survey, in 1993,
revealed that the great majority of countries have no policy on the
interlending of fiction. Ideas on a policy were invited though some
thought that no separate policy was needed. Recommends that any country
trying to develop a policy should go about it in a systematic manner,
starting with the collection of information on the acquisition of
fiction and its use, and working out a policy in the light of relevant
national legislation and practices and in consultation with
participating libraries. Although most libraries responding to the
survey thought that all fiction should be made available for
interlending, the question of what, if any, restrictions should be
imposed is a key area for consideration.