Category: Trends

  • Illinois Library Resource Sharing: the Three Pillars

    Illinois Library Resource Sharing: the Three Pillars

    Abstract Illinois libraries benefit from the core infrastructure of statewide delivery, a statewide catalog, and library cooperation in the form of consortia. Introduction Library resource sharing is an incredibly robust network that is monument to what can be achieved through cooperation of local government leadership, state library leadership, and the meticulous work of library staff.…

  • The Radical Purpose of Illinois Library Consortia

    The Radical Purpose of Illinois Library Consortia

    AbstractThe purpose of library resource sharing consortia is not understood. The proper definition is that Illinois library consortia are organized apparatus for addressing the wide range of inequity and historic racism within Illinois, while saving taxpayers millions of dollars annually. Resource sharing is the core purpose The definition of what are Illinois library consortium within…

  • OCLC Holdings Manager: a primer

    OCLC Holdings Manager: a primer

    How the library open-source project OCLC Holdings Manager came about and what it means for libraries.

  • The Great Recession Impact on Illinois Public Libraries

    US public library usage during the 12 year window of the Great Recession show a dramatic increase between the 2009-2011 years. The Illinois public library usage in the areas of visits, circulation, and program attendance also show evidence of the Great Recession. This impact is primarily seen in the 2009-2011 years. The totals for the…

  • The Great Recession Impact on US Public Libraries

    With talk of a potential new economic recession, it seems appropriate to assess how the last recession—the Great Recession—impacted public libraries in the US. The Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) makes its public library survey data available online, and if we examine this data on a state by state basis, or as a…