A comparative analysis of interlibrary cooperation policies of university libraries in the Western Black Sea region

This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the interlibrary loan (ILL) policies and practices implemented by the central libraries of Sinop, Bartın, Karabük, Kastamonu, and Düzce universities in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey. Employing the document analysis method, a qualitative research design, the study systematically examined official institutional documents, policy statements, procedural guidelines, and website content. Additionally, secondary data retrieved from the Interlibrary Loan Tracking System (KİTS) and the Turkish Document Delivery System (TÜBESS) were incorporated into the analysis. Findings reveal that, despite structural similarities, the libraries follow divergent approaches in collection development and resource sharing strategies. Notable differences emerged in collection orientations—ranging from print-based and traditional (Sinop, Düzce) to digital-first (Kastamonu) models. Decision-making mechanisms also reflect a hybrid structure, combining centralized, commission-based models with user-oriented flexible approaches. Furthermore, the frequency and institutional integration of KİTS and TÜBESS usage vary considerably, with Bartın University distinguished as the most proficient user of these systems. The study concludes that, while benefiting from common technological infrastructures, each library formulates its own cooperative and service model based on unique institutional priorities. This divergence underscores the absence of a unified national framework for interlibrary cooperation and highlights the localized adaptation of workflows. The findings emphasize the necessity for normative enhancements to establish a more sustainable and standardized interlibrary resource-sharing ecosystem.