ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL: PLANNING FOR A CONSORTIAL NEXT GENERATION ILS Ann E. Miller Head, Collection Services University of Oregon Chair, Collaborative Technical Services Team Orbis Cascade Alliance Central Oregon Comm. College Central Washington University Chemeketa Community College Clark College Concordia University Eastern Oregon University Eastern Washington University George Fox University Lane Community College Lewis & Clark College Linfield College Mt. Hood Community College Oregon State University Oregon Health & Science Univ. Oregon Institute of Technology Oregon State University Pacific University Portland Community College Portland State University Reed College Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University Southern Oregon University The Evergreen State College University of Idaho University of Oregon University of Portland University of Puget Sound University of Washington Walla Walla College Warner Pacific College Washington State University Western Oregon University Western Washington University Whitman College Willamette University OBLIGATORY STATISTICS • 37 universities, colleges, and community colleges in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho • 258,000 students • 9.2 million titles representing 28.7 million items • Group purchases of electronic resources at a value of $8 million annually. • seeks to develop the combined collections of member institutions as one collection “THE STORY SO FAR…” • Creation of the Orbis Cascade Alliance Strategic Agenda 2008-2009 – Identification of shared technical services as a strategic agenda item • R2 Report “The Extended Library Enterprise: Collaborative Technical Services and Shared Staffing” – A starting point for collaborative technical services discussions – Could see possibilities, but also problematic areas • Initial collaborative projects suggest a need for a shared ILS “THE STORY SO FAR… THE CONTINUING SAGA” • Shared ILS Groups formed to review the possibility each year from 2009-2011 • Shared ILS RFP in 2011-2012 • Chose Ex Libris Alma/Primo in Spring 2012 • 4 Cohorts between Jan. 2013-Dec. 2014 – First going live in June – Six months each • Shared ILS Implementation Team & Collaborative Technical Services Team working together on planning and training BUILDING SYNCHRONICITY • Collection Development and Management Committee • Shared ILS Committee(s) • Collaborative Technical Services Team • Each working towards same goals from different perspectives – EBL/DDA project – Collaborative collecting – Streamlining and facilitating efficiencies BOARDING THE COLLABORATION TRAIN • Start with strong existing collaborative ties – Summit borrowing – E-resource purchasing • Strong relationships foster trust and mutual goals • Projects some of which succeed and some fail COMMUNICATING THE VISION • Patrons – Reorienting vision of library from ownership to access – Provide for exceptions when necessary • Staff – Stress value of individual contributions not at question – Ensure that communication of the vision is consistent • Administrators – Ensure that realistic outcomes conveyed – Don’t sell as a single solution to challenges BALANCING ACT • Local needs/Consortial needs • Local or Consortial level work • Thinking outside the box, but practically so • Decisions for the consortial long term or local short term VISION FOR THE FUTURE • Expand the resources and services available to Alliance users • Do “things” once for the benefit of all – E-resource management – MARCIVE – YBP Approval plans • Consortial collection analysis – Collection development – Retention decisions • Solidify trusting relationships WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING (TO COLLABORATE) • Some initial resistance and concern • Time to build relationships • Projects always take a bit longer than anticipated • To serve on lots of committees • To support staff in involvement • Learn to know new people and learn from them Collaboration is a beautiful thing. THANK-YOU!