ITP Library Managers Forum Collaboration

Undisguised acts of collaboration
Listed below are some success stories from members of the ITP Library Managers Forum.

Reciprocal borrowing
Reciprocal borrowing within the Wellington Tertiary Alliance group is designed to improve access to local library material for staff and students of Wellington Institute of Technology, The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand and Whitireia Community Polytechnic.

Shared Library Management System
SMART Shared Services is New Zealand’s only collaboration of tertiary and public libraries. SMART stands for Sharing and Managing a Region Together and includes the Libraries of Kapiti District, Porirua City, Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Wellington institute of Technology (WelTec), Hutt City Libraries and Masterton District. Covering a population base of almost 250,000 people, SMART has approximately 150,000 registered card holders and 23 branches around the region. SMART libraries are open seven (7) days a week including late evenings.

In operation for around 18 months, SMART gains to date include the successful negotiation of consortia prices for a range of library products and services; and the sharing of professional and technical expertise across the region to ensure our libraries continue to be innovative and outstanding.

Additionally, while streamlining policies and processes across the partnership, SMART has ensured that each community or tertiary library still reflects its individual community and main customer base. Currently merging bibliographic databases, from early October 2011, SMART libraries will be providing seamless access to some 600,000 library items, allowing library customers to reserve items from any SMART library free of charge, picking them up and dropping them off at any SMART library that is convenient to them. A regional courier system will move items across the region and integrate with existing local library couriers. Customers will be able to pay for items (hires, overdues) at any of the SMART libraries.

SMART’s catalogue will allow customers to search for any item across the libraries or just their “local” library. Notices for loan reminders, overdues and reserves are available via SMS txt, email or paper at all SMART libraries. Having a library card number and PIN/password means customers can access their library account from anywhere, and can renew or reserve items, send in requests, and view a multitude of databases. As we work to deliver library services in an innovative and collaborative way, SMART libraries are actively working with other major international public and tertiary collaborations to ensure that the future of libraries is relevant and viable long term.

Issued by:			 SMART Governance Group, 26 August 2011. Inquires or feedback to:	Annette Beattie, SMART Project Coordinator & Digital Services Manager Hutt City Libraries, annette.beattie@huttcity.govt.nz

Shared Resources
Tairawhiti Polytechnic works with other TEIs to extend the range and level of programmes that are available locally. Currently we collaborate with Waikato University, Wintec, and UCOL. This involves library to library liaison and Tairawhiti welcomes specialist library staff from the other institutions to visit and conduct classes with the conjoint students. This interaction encourages use of the e-resources provided by the other TEIs and also use of their distance library service; this year the students have had visits from Wintec and UCOL librarians. The students benefit from direct access to two library collections.