The New Mexico Resource Sharing Initiative: Getting a Start with Polaris

New Mexico State LibraryA Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs

Gary L. Harris - NMLA April 2013

The New Mexico Resource Sharing Initiative: Getting a Start

with Polaris

The New Mexico Resource Sharing Initiative: Getting a Start

with Polaris

NMLA Annual ConferenceApril 17 - 19, 2013Albuquerque, NM



So What Does This Mean?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.



Why do this?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 130.7 (April 15, 2005): p.S4



How do we get there?How do we get there?• Create a framework.

– Polaris, the State Library’s 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, librarian’s meetings, the state legislature, and other venues.



What are the steps?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.



• 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 2012.• 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.



What Polaris Can Do and Why it Was Selected

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.



Polaris Data CenterSyracuse, NY

Hosting

ROI5 Years



FACETED RESULTS CUSTOM BRANDING


The FutureThe 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.




QuestionsQuestions

[email protected]://nmstatelibrary.org

Adventures in Reading and Statewide Resource Sharing

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

The New Mexico Resource Sharing Initiative: Getting a Start with Polaris