Library Project Receives Lilly Endowment Funding
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Private Academic Library Network of Indiana has landed a $225,000 grant from Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. The funding will support the Shared Print Collection project, which aims to take inventory of the holdings at all of the state's academic libraries.
October 16, 2013
News Release
Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded $225,000 to the Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI) for the Shared Print Collection Project, an initiative of PALNI and its partner organization Academic Libraries of Indiana (ALI) that will inventory the holdings of 34 of Indiana’s academic libraries to identify overlapping and unique resources.
“The information from the Shared Print Collection Project will aid PALNI and ALI in their mission to expand access to information and allow libraries in the consortium to reduce costs and manage their collections better,” said Kirsten Leonard, executive director of PALNI. “Lilly Endowment's project funding will enable us to acquire the information we need to help strengthen Indiana's libraries.”
The grant will enable PALNI and ALI to hire a nationally-known firm, Sustainable Collection Services (SCS, see http://sustainablecollections.com), with expertise in reviewing and evaluating library collections. The shared holdings of the participating libraries amount to nearly seven million volumes. The effort to streamline these collections has the potential to create a significant amount of space in a manner that will not disrupt the experience of library users. This will be one of the largest studies of its kind yet conducted.
“As more of the libraries' content becomes digital, it is important that we look at print collections differently,” said David Lewis, president of ALI. “We need to ensure that copies are preserved and placed in secure environments, and we need to identify redundant copies that can be withdrawn so that the space they occupy can be used for more critical purposes. This project will accomplish both goals and also should lay a foundation for future collaboration among Indiana academic libraries.”
In addition to identifying redundancies, the study will identify rare books in the collections of participating libraries that deserve special attention. Libraries can then make sure these items are appropriately stored and preserved for the future. The study is also expected to provide new insights regarding how print book collections are used both in individual libraries and across the state. Libraries individually and collectively can use this data as they develop their collections and services going forward.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family — J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons J.K. Jr. and Eli — through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders' wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. More information can be found at www.lillyendowment.org.
About PALNI
The Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI) was founded in 1992 as one of the first state-wide automated resource sharing networks for private academic libraries and includes 23 private colleges, universities, and seminaries in Indiana. Initial funding for PALNI’s shared library automation system and network was provided through a 3-year, $4.9M grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. PALNI member libraries collaborate to enhance the teaching and learning missions of private higher education in Indiana by optimizing resources and services while strengthening leadership and professional development. For more information see http://www.palni.edu/
About ALI
Academic Libraries of Indiana (ALI) is an organization representing all academic libraries in accredited non-profit institutions of higher education in Indiana. Included among the 72 ALI members are major research libraries, law and medical libraries, theological school libraries, and many undergraduate libraries. ALI was established in 2003 to: support economic development in Indiana; promote collaboration, innovation, preservation, and resource sharing; maintain resources for improving teaching, learning, research and service; and improve Indiana's information infrastructure. For more information see http://ali.bsu.edu/.
Source: Private Academic Library Network of Indiana