Many academic libraries are struggling with collections size reaching or exceeding building capacity. Meanwhile, the movement of “21st Century Libraries” calls for user centered space. The combination of these two factors has challenged libraries to identify ways to eliminate physical collections without losing access to content.
The academic libraries in the State of Florida, including the University of Central Florida (UCF), have discussed and developed plans for a shared print repository for several years. For the past few years a state wide Shared Storage Task Force was convened with representation from the state university libraries; and eventually formed the FLorida Academic REpository (FLARE) under the leadership of University of Florida.
In 2012, FLARE received the first large shipment from a participating library. After a few months of active planning, UCF implemented its project preparing our materials to send to FLARE, and is poised to be the next library contributing to FLARE.
As presented, the UCF FLARE project requires tremendous coordination and collaboration within the multiple units in the Technical Services Division at UCF, and with the external FLARE Team in Gainesville. Policies and procedures were developed with guidance from the FLARE Team; and internal workflow was designed to ensure accurate processing. Maintaining clear communication with the Public Services Division is also critical.
This presentation will give an overview of the FLARE project and its evolution, and share UCF’s experience in selecting and processing materials for this shared storage facility.