New Collaborations in a Brave New World: Building an Agile Consortium for the 21st Century Adrian W. Alexander Executive Director Greater Western Library Alliance

June 4, 2002 International Association of Technological University Libraries How We Came to Be Begun informally in late 1980s by the members of a collegiate athletic conference Begun informally in late 1980s by the members of a collegiate athletic conference Other research libraries in the area invited to join Other research libraries in the area invited to join – Ex. - Linda Hall Library – Originally Greater Midwest Research Library Consortium (GMRLC) Grew to 16 libraries by mid-90s; re-named Big 12 Plus Libraries Consortium (BTP) Grew to 16 libraries by mid-90s; re-named Big 12 Plus Libraries Consortium (BTP) Formalized in 1997 and Executive Director hired in 1998; became non-profit corporation in 2000 Formalized in 1997 and Executive Director hired in 1998; became non-profit corporation in 2000 Re-named Greater Western Library Alliance in 2001 Re-named Greater Western Library Alliance in 2001

June 4, 2002 International Association of Technological University Libraries Who We Are 30 research libraries (29 academic, 1 special library) in 15 states 30 research libraries (29 academic, 1 special library) in 15 states Located in 15 states from the Mississippi Valley to the Pacific Coast Located in 15 states from the Mississippi Valley to the Pacific Coast Includes 25 members of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) Includes 25 members of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) Includes 24 members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Includes 24 members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Includes 13 members of the Association of American Universities (AAU) Includes 13 members of the Association of American Universities (AAU)

June 4, 2002 International Association of Technological University Libraries What We Do Resource Sharing Resource Sharing – ILL – Licensing Electronic Resources – Digital Libraries – Cooperative Resources & Services Scholarly Communication Scholarly Communication Best Practices (Continuing Education) Best Practices (Continuing Education)

June 4, 2002 International Association of Technological University Libraries Western Waters Digital Library Focus on water resource issues in western United States Focus on water resource issues in western United States Scholarly and public Web-based resource Scholarly and public Web-based resource Will include geographic, legal, economic, scientific, environmental, historical, political/policy information sources, from... Will include geographic, legal, economic, scientific, environmental, historical, political/policy information sources, from... Text, photographs, manuscripts, video, audio, data sets, maps, etc., from... Text, photographs, manuscripts, video, audio, data sets, maps, etc., from... Government reports, oral histories, personal papers, water project records, geologic and geographic surveys, etc. Government reports, oral histories, personal papers, water project records, geologic and geographic surveys, etc.

June 4, 2002 International Association of Technological University Libraries WWDL, cont. Four river basins in Phase 1 - Rio Grande, Platte, Colorado, Columbia Four river basins in Phase 1 - Rio Grande, Platte, Colorado, Columbia Twelve GWLA libraries have identified materials to include in Phase 1 Twelve GWLA libraries have identified materials to include in Phase 1 Phase 1 of WWDL will demonstrate efficacy of the interoperability model Phase 1 of WWDL will demonstrate efficacy of the interoperability model – central repository for metadata – collections retained locally

June 4, 2002 International Association of Technological University Libraries Bioengineering Cooperative Resources Project Focus on science & technology; bioengineering emerged as a “hot” area of study for members Focus on science & technology; bioengineering emerged as a “hot” area of study for members Originally a cooperative collection development project Originally a cooperative collection development project “Pure” CD too limiting; more holistic cooperative service model evolved “Pure” CD too limiting; more holistic cooperative service model evolved Model & service principles will be used for future projects in other disciplines Model & service principles will be used for future projects in other disciplines Planning phase now complete Planning phase now complete

June 4, 2002 International Association of Technological University Libraries Collaborative Principles Focus on research & grad program needs Focus on research & grad program needs Focus on unique resources Focus on unique resources Emphasis on public domain materials Emphasis on public domain materials Quality of resources & services Quality of resources & services Long term sustainability Long term sustainability Maximum user access Maximum user access Format neutral Interlibrary lending & borrowing required Reference component desirable Copyright permissions for all resources User-centered project agreements Adherence to SPARC principles

June 4, 2002 International Association of Technological University Libraries Possible Components for Model Identification of research interests Identification of research interests Collection analysis Collection analysis Maintain/build tools to identify info & provide access Maintain/build tools to identify info & provide access ILL/doc delivery ILL/doc delivery Indexing/abstracting resources Indexing/abstracting resources Consortial purchasing agreements Consortial purchasing agreements Digitization projects – theses & disserations – uncataloged collections – archival collections – gray literature Reference services Bibliographic instruction Value-added services Connect to other GWLA projects Identification of partners

June 4, 2002 International Association of Technological University Libraries Scholarly Communication Scholarly communication has emerged as our most visible program area Scholarly communication has emerged as our most visible program area Began by working with Big 12 provosts Began by working with Big 12 provosts Shulenburger’s “Call to Action: Shulenburger’s “Call to Action: – – Point of convergence between provosts and library deans Moved us from being just another advocate for change to becoming a change agent Moved us from being just another advocate for change to becoming a change agent

June 4, 2002 International Association of Technological University Libraries BioOne Co-founder of BioOne, Inc. electronic journal initiative ( Co-founder of BioOne, Inc. electronic journal initiative ( – SPARC, University of Kansas, American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), Allen Press Began development in May 1999 Began development in May 1999 Launched database in April 2001 Launched database in April journals currently in database 47 journals currently in database Over 370 subscribing libraries worldwide Over 370 subscribing libraries worldwide

June 4, 2002 International Association of Technological University Libraries First GWLA Provost Meeting February 2001 in Tempe AZ February 2001 in Tempe AZ Provosts and library deans from 23 of our member institutions Provosts and library deans from 23 of our member institutions Press release at - Press release at - Full report at - Full report at -

June 4, 2002 International Association of Technological University Libraries Provost Meeting Highlights Support and fund the development of electronic journals that dramatically reduce costs to libraries, or which fill in gaps in the literature. Support and fund the development of electronic journals that dramatically reduce costs to libraries, or which fill in gaps in the literature. Encourage faculty at BTP institutions to sign the “open letter” on the Public Library of Science website ( science.org), and work with journal editors on our campuses to commit their respective publications to the PLS concept. Encourage faculty at BTP institutions to sign the “open letter” on the Public Library of Science website ( science.org), and work with journal editors on our campuses to commit their respective publications to the PLS concept. Request a National Science Board policy re the Public Library of Science. Request a National Science Board policy re the Public Library of Science.

June 4, 2002 International Association of Technological University Libraries Becoming the Agile Organization Elements of success (Allen & Hirshon) Elements of success (Allen & Hirshon) – Recognition of the value of collaboration – Support throughout all levels of organization – Leaders willing to take risk Not every project will involve every member Not every project will involve every member – Develop “clusters” – Keep members informed! “Plan your work and work your plan” “Plan your work and work your plan” – Develop a strategic plan and use it – Keep it fresh; it’s not a static document