USMAI Resource Sharing Task Group Charge

January 2006 – December 2007

The Resource Sharing Task Group of the University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions (USMAI) has been appointed by the Council of Library Directors (CLD) to address issues relating to USMAI resource sharing activities, including patron placed holds, direct borrowing, interlibrary loan and delivery systems.

Specific responsibilities include:

1. carrying out the RSTG vision 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, including the following strategic initiatives:
1. creating a common ILL/document delivery platform – ILLiad implementation, and



2. maintaining up-to-date Circulation and ILL agreements among all consortium members;



2. anticipating, planning and making recommendations to CLD for future directions in resource sharing, such as:
1. exploring new online tools to accomplish resource sharing



2. partnering with other USMAI groups to improve patron success in getting what they want, such as:


1. developing “I want it” or “Get it” functionality, possibly by an enhanced FindIt menu,
2. improving workflows between resource sharing services (PPH, and ILL),
3. enhancing messaging to patrons from resource sharing systems at critical junctures, and
4. exploring other opportunities for resource sharing within Maryland;


3. considering and making recommendations to the CLD regarding other resource sharing issues relating to the consortium that arise during the term of appointment of the task group;



4. reviewing issues relating to resource sharing that arise as a result of the implementation of future versions of Aleph, ILLiad, SFX and other consortial software, and making recommendations to CLD or its designated group, as appropriate;



5. participating in resource sharing related ITD work plan priorities as directed by the CLD; and



6. improving communication on resource sharing issues with the USMAI.