Phase One: Resource Sharing Model Decision

Owned by Liana Giovando
Last updated: Apr 15, 2024
2 min read

As the first step towards leveraging Alma and Primo VE for resource sharing among Ontario college libraries, the RSWG considered a Peer-to-peer model and a Fulfillment Network model. This page and attachments provide an overview of the issues considered.

Library leadership (CLO member) at each college was sent an email with the RSWG recommendations and a request for each member to express their intent to participate.

P2P vs Fulfillment - Bird’s Eye View

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Decision

The RSWG held two Question & Answer sessions for college staff and library leadership to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each model. After careful consideration, the RSWG put forward a recommendation to the colleges for the P2P model. Benefits to the P2P model include:

  • Reduced staff training and configuration changes for initial configuration

  • Greater opportunity for staff mediated requests

  • No exchange of patron data

  • Easier partnership potential with institutions outside of the Ontario colleges

  • OCUL and SUNY both said they would have just gone with P2P if they were to do it again

  • We can implement an FN without a rota at a later date if we chose to make walk-in borrowing easier it the future

Twenty-two out of twenty-four colleges agreed to participate in Resource Sharing using the P2P model in Alma.

Next Steps

  • Explore need and options for common lending periods, fines/fees, etc. (Now – May 3)

  • Test Pilot with a small group of schools (Now - May 17)

    • Identify configuration settings in each IZ as well as the NZ

    • Prepare instructions for the colleges to apply IZ configuration settings

    • Develop sample workflow for colleges to adapt to local environments

  • Share Instructions and Sample Workflows (May 21)

  • Test settings and workflows (May 21-June 14)

  • Go live! (June 17)