New Mexico State Library A Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs Gary L. Harris - NMLA April 2013 The New Mexico Resource Sharing Initiative: Getting a Start with Polaris NMLA Annual Conference April , 2013 Albuquerque, NM

New Mexico State Library A Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs Gary L. Harris - NMLA April 2013 So What Does This Mean? Shared system concept, but with plenty of flexibility to accommodate the needs of different libraries based on size, geographic location, etc. Consortium pricing is available from many vendors for groups of libraries that share a bibliographic database on the same system using the same server. Focus on public libraries now, but all libraries are welcome. No library has resources to meet the needs of all the people. Increase in number of MARC (electronic) records for the state. Resource sharing saves dollars over traditional ILL.

New Mexico State Library A Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs Gary L. Harris - NMLA April 2013 Why do this? Jefferson County Public Library Resource (Colorado) Lending Prospector+ $1.39/item Interstate $2.21/item Interlibrary Loan $6.95/item Borrowing Prospector+ $1.41/item Interstate $2.04/item Interlibrary Loan $26.92/item Source: Library Journal (April 15, 2005): p.S4

New Mexico State Library A Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs Gary L. Harris - NMLA April 2013 How do we get there? Create a framework. –Polaris, the State Librarys new ILS, provides a solid foundation for growth. Actively seek libraries to participate in the projects. –Process of self-selection. Keep libraries informed through education and frequent updates. –Articles on the NMSL web site and messages sent to e-discussion lists sponsored by the State Library. Spread the good news about resource sharing in New Mexico at NMLA, librarians meetings, the state legislature, and other venues.

New Mexico State Library A Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs Gary L. Harris - NMLA April 2013 What are the steps? Identify libraries interested in sharing a system. Build on the Polaris system sponsored by the SALSA consortium. Decide on a governance structure, can begin with a Memorandum of Understanding stating the basic goals and operations of the consortium. Cooperation and collaboration among the participating libraries are the keys to success. Consider funding sources (delivery, supplies, hardware, connectivity) –LSTA grants. –Local funding sources. –State legislature.

New Mexico State Library A Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs Gary L. Harris - NMLA April 2013 The State Library needed to update is aging Horizon ILS, which had been in operation since the early 1990s. Project to seek out replacement ILS software began in spring of Three ILS vendors were invited to demonstrate their products. Costs, system functionality, and ability to scale on a statewide basis were primary considerations. Polaris Library Systems was selected. Funding was provided by IMLS through an LSTA grant. State Library began implementation of Polaris in October 2012 and work continues. Scheduled to Go Live on the new system May 2, 2013.

New Mexico State Library A Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs Gary L. Harris - NMLA April 2013 What Polaris Can Do and Why it Was Selected Polaris was the most economical choice of the 3 ILS vendors. The new system is HOSTED, eliminating the need to purchase and maintain expensive hardware and the people required to maintain it. Scalability is on par for the needs of SALSA and other NM Libraries wishing to join the Consortium. Participating libraries each have a portal page as entry point for access to their collections. Search results contain faceted results. Ability for participating libraries to begin resource sharing in small groups.

New Mexico State Library A Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs Gary L. Harris - NMLA April 2013 Polaris Data Center Syracuse, NY Hosting ROI 5 Years

New Mexico State Library A Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs Gary L. Harris - NMLA April 2013

New Mexico State Library A Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs The Future Maintain an awareness of Polaris development and the SALSA Consortium. Enhance and develop the SALSA Memorandum of Understanding. Encourage other NM Libraries to investigate membership in SALSA. Spend the next 1 – 2 years preparing the SALSA ILS and learning more about its features in order to offer reliable and verifiable answers to questions from libraries interested in joining the Consortium. Investigate and develop funding priorities for the growth of the Consortium. Invite NM Libraries to ask questions or visit the State Library in order to learn more about the benefits of resource sharing and membership in SALSA. Gary L. Harris - NMLA April 2013

New Mexico State Library A Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs Gary L. Harris - NMLA April 2013 Questions Adventures in Reading and Statewide Resource Sharing