HIT:Resource Sharing

[Linda Nichols <lnichols@SA.WNYRIC.ORG>]

Here are the answers I received about resource sharing...Thank you for
your replies.

In New York we have 41 School Library Systems (which all public and
non-public schools may belong to).  These systems interface with public
library systems and academic and special library systems(regional
resource councils) to provide resource sharing among all of the
libraries in the state.

May I suggest you contact the state library in Rhode Island- there are
many
cooperative networks in the state.  Also you can try RIEMA (Rhode Island
Educational Media Assoc.) both have web sites-sorry but i don't have
their
address e or snail available where i'm answering your inquiry.

In Texas, reported to me by an interim LMS, there
are multi-type library systems with schools, publics etc. in the
consortium.  There are more than one BUT they are not 'connected' to
each other and work independently(?).

Florida has a great resource:  Check this out.
http://www.sunlink.ucf.edu/about/about.html

The most effective resource sharing among LMCs that I've
experienced was in Baltimore County.  As soon as email was
introduced into the libraries, librarians began posting
requests for particular books, which would be delivered to
the requesting school on the interschool mail truck, which
came every day.  No paperwork, no bureaucracy, very grassroots
and effective.

Here in Long Beach, we can contact our central Library Services to find
out if any other school has what we need; it is up to us to contact that
library and request the item.  We are not under obligation to send out
requested material, but we usually comply if we can (ie, if it is not
missing, checked out, etc.)

The New England states (unless there has been a major change in the past
7
years) do not have anything that resembles a system.  Each school
functions
as a separate unit and/or as part of a coordinated district effort.  I
worked in ME, NH, VT and MA and never had the pleasure of a coordinated
resource sharing effort or any cooperative purchasing.
--
Linda A. Nichols                         Steuben-Allegany BOCES
School Library System/Media Services     6666 Babcock Hollow Rd.
Phone: 607-776-7631 Fax:607-776-7226     Bath, NY 14810
LNICHOLS@sa.wnyric.org
      Visit our Web Site at http://www.saboces.wnyric.org

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