EVERY day, it supplies 15,000 documents to academics, researchers, scientists and industries around the globe.
Today the British Library Document Supply Centre near Boston Spa marked a key milestone in its history by delivering its 100 millionth document.
The landmark document request came from the Zambon Group SPA, a multinational pharmaceuticals company based in Milan, Italy.
It was processed by the library in just 16 hours from start to finish, thanks to its use of electronic requesting and delivery methods.
The library, which occupies a 60-acre site at Thorp Arch and employs 1,200 staff, many from York, is one of the world's largest sources of published information.
It receives about four million requests each year from customers in 133 countries for journal articles, books, reports and conference proceedings from its extensive collections.
TV psychiatrist Dr Raj Persaud said that as a frequent user of the service he was regularly impressed
by the service delivered and sheer scope of information
resources available.
"I firmly believe the library is one of the great research and educational institutions worldwide and, indeed, throughout history."
Updated: 10:31 Tuesday, December 11, 2001
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