What should a librarian do if a requested book is not in her collection?

Seeking the book through inter-library loan is a strategic and resourceful approach when a requested book is not available in the librarian's collection. This option allows librarians to provide access to materials that may not be in their local collection by borrowing them from another library. Inter-library loans expand the range of resources available to patrons, fostering a collaborative network between libraries. This not only helps satisfy the immediate request but also encourages the use of a broader library system, which can enhance the overall research and learning experience for students and faculty.

Additionally, while options such as informing the teacher of unavailability or suggesting alternative books may be helpful, they do not provide direct access to the requested resource. Purchasing a book immediately could strain the library's budget and may not be feasible without proper evaluation of demand and relevance to the collection. Thus, using inter-library loan balances immediate needs with resource allocation, making it the most effective response to a book request that cannot be fulfilled from the existing collection.