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VIVA: Shared Print Initiative

Virginia's Academic Library Consortium

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VIVA Shared Print

Background

In 2014, VIVA initiated a comprehensive print monographic collections analysis in collaboration with several public academic institutions in Virginia. The participating institutions included George Mason University, Old Dominion University, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, Radford University, and The College of William & Mary. The primary objectives of this analysis were to establish distributed retention commitments, inform collaborative collection development efforts, reduce unnecessary duplication of resources across the state, and identify scarcely-held titles in need of protection. To learn more about the previous monographic collections analysis project, visit this link: https://vivalib.org/va/collections/monographicanalysis

As the retention commitments for the analyzed titles were approaching their end, the VIVA Collections Committee recognized it as a timely moment to undertake a pilot project with the Eastern Academic Scholars' Trust (EAST). The objective was to evaluate whether participation in a larger shared print program facilitated by EAST could alleviate the retention commitments on participating libraries while still ensuring continued access to the titles through the EAST network. James Madison University, Radford University, and William & Mary participated in this pilot project.

The success of the pilot project led the VIVA Steering Committee to determine that participation in EAST offered significant benefits for VIVA libraries. This includes focusing on local collections by collaborating within a larger library network, safely deaccessioning print titles, expanding resource sharing opportunities for VIVA institutions, and supporting  the preservation of the rich cultural and scholarly heritage found in print library collections. 

EAST/VIVA Partnership

In January 2023, VIVA officially became a part of the Eastern Academic Scholars' Trust (EAST) shared print program. This partnership includes the participation of eleven VIVA libraries as Retention Partners, including all eight research institutions:

  • Christopher Newport University
  • George Mason University
  • James Madison University
  • Old Dominion University
  • Radford University
  • University of Mary Washington
  • University of Virginia
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Virginia Tech
  • Washington & Lee Univesity
  • William & Mary

As part of this partnership, EAST will utilize the Gold Rush analysis tool to assess and compare existing holdings among the participating institutions. This analysis will inform the determination of retention commitments, allowing VIVA libraries to retain uniquely held titles and up to five frequently used titles. It also enables strategic collection management, as VIVA schools can weed items from their collections based on EAST retention agreements.

In addition to the retention partners, the EAST/VIVA agreement includes a Consortia Supporting Partners category. This category encompasses the remaining VIVA public institutions, as well as Bridgewater College and Roanoke College. Consortia Supporting Partners can participate in interlibrary loan activities across the member libraries of EAST. This participation expands their resource sharing opportunities and ensures broader access to scholarly materials.

The EAST/VIVA initiative aims to foster effective sharing of scholarly resources, support strategic collection management, and facilitate interlibrary loan services. By preserving unique print collections, optimizing resource management, and promoting collaboration, the partnership supports the research and educational goals of the academic community in Virginia.

 

Institutional Project Leads

Alison Armstrong
Radford University

Beth Blanton-Kent
University of Virginia

Karen Cary
Virginia Commonwealth University

Leanne Hillery
Old Dominion University

Holli Kubly
Old Dominion University

Laura Morales
College of William & Mary

Ed Lener
Virginia Tech

Helen McManus
George Mason University

Nicole St. John
University of Mary Washington

Sarah Pritchard
James Madison University

Elizabeth Teaff
Washington and Lee University

Alicia Wilson-Metzger
Christopher Newport University

Genya O'Gara 
VIVA