USMAI Vision Statement for Resource Sharing

Submitted to the CLD May 2, 2005

The USMAI's mission statement reads as follows:

"The mission of the USMAI is to support effective access to library resources by providing and promoting a range of resource sharing services which support the objectives and maximize resources of the individual libraries of the member institutions."

The USMAI Resource Sharing Task Group's vision for resource sharing is:

To fulfill the mission of the USMAI, the USMAI Resource Sharing Task Group seeks to integrate a wide range of resource sharing options in order to make accessing resources across all institutions highly seamless and transparent to the user within the context of individual member missions.

Background:

Currently, books are shared within the consortium by using Aleph's patron placed holds feature. Articles are shared via Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Library patrons are currently unevenly served across the consortium and a shared ILL platform would help all USMAI libraries provide the same level of service to their patrons in an electronic environment.

Strategic initiatives:

The Resource Sharing Task Group proposes building on the success of the consortial model for sharing books by adding the capability of sharing various types of media and other materials, to investigate technologies to support this, and to pursue the goal of implementing a shared platform for resource sharing and document delivery across the entire USMAI.

• Implement a common ILL and document delivery platform across the USMAI. A shared ILL platform will allow all USMAI libraries to freely share articles electronically in a cohesive information environment. This platform will facilitate electronic delivery, allow faster service to patrons, and more effectively open the print journal collections of the entire USMAI to any patron within the consortium. The shared efforts and resources of the entire consortium will assist member libraries to all have an equitable level of support and expertise to implement the platform. A common ILL platform will also facilitate resource sharing between the consortium and outside partners.
  
  
• Expand the consortial model for sharing of books to include other 'returnable' materials. Patron placed holds are currently the backbone of sharing of books across the USMAI consortium. By expanding this service to other types of returnable materials, patrons will have enhanced access to nonprint resources (media such as CDs, DVDs and videos) when and where they are needed.
  
  
• Strengthen the consortial model for sharing of books and articles by maintaining up to date circulation and ILL agreements among all consortium members. Patron placed holds and a common ILL platform will facilitate resource sharing for the USMAI. Documentation and dissemination of approved Circulation and Interlibrary Loan agreements will encourage a uniformity and equality of services and resources within the consortium.

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