2015 Charleston Library Conference

Shared Print programs are one of the most important collaborative activities being pursued by many regional library groups. The Orbis Cascade Alliance (Oregon, Washington, and Idaho) and Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries (Colorado and Wyoming) each have multi-state regional programs which demonstrate unique characteristics and features. In the Orbis Cascade Alliance, librarians are having to re-visit historic shared purchases. They will explore one such project and examine steps taken to reconcile current institutional needs with past collection-building priorities. In the Colorado Alliance shared print program, a locally developed analysis tool called Gold Rush Library Content Comparison System has been developed to assist libraries in making better decisions about their shared print commitments.  The Colorado program will be reviewed, followed by a look at its analysis tool in terms of its underlying design principles, features, and challenges.  Different use cases will be explored as well as future opportunities for collaboration and development. As Shared Print programs expand and mature in the 21st Century, this presentation will outline some overall best practices for the ways in which we approach and manage these resource sharing agreements.