Or: The Library Is More Than These Four Walls?
Resource sharing is the result of a formal or informal agreement among a group of libraries (usually a consortium or network) to share collections, data, facilities, personnel, etc. The goal is to benefit patrons while reducing the expense of collection development.
One form of resource sharing between libraries is interlibrary loan. The largest interlibrary loan network in the world is maintained by OCLC, which uses the WorldCat database as its union catalog. The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) of the American Library Association (ALA) has developed an Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States (2008).
Idaho Resources
ShareIdaho is a resource sharing system for Idaho libraries. It helps libraries build their capacity to provide access to information via cataloging, interlibrary loan, and metadata services. Through ShareIdaho, the ICfL pays for over 40% of the statewide group services agreement with OCLC. The remaining portion is paid by participating libraries based on the type and size of library and the subscription option they choose. By pooling their resources, ShareIdaho member libraries help each other reduce the expense for providing interlibrary loan services. The ICfL also offers a complimentary service to smaller libraries anticipating a low volume of interlibrary loans (approximately 40 or fewer per year). That service is called the ShareIdaho Interlibrary Loan Referral Management Center.
LiLI.org is a gateway for free access to online tools for Idaho residents. The LiLI databases provide easy online access to the full text of thousands of magazines, professional journals, reference materials, and newspapers. LiLI also includes databases for personal and professional development, including auto repair, readers’ advisory, health information, language learning, genealogy, scholarly research, computer and software literacy, practice tests for college and occupational entrance exams, and much more!
Idaho Digital E-Book Alliance (IDEA) is a statewide partnership between the ICfL, public libraries, and school libraries with the goal of expanding access while reducing barriers to digital e-books and e-audio content via OverDrive.