Sessions
Updated July 24 2026
'A Little Less Conversation' and A Lot More Action for Accessibility (presentation)
Faith O'Brien, State University of New York- Oswego
Penfield Library coordinated with our on campus disabilities services office to implement a person centered approach to supporting our patrons with disabilities, specifically in regards to Title II guidelines under ADA law.
Penfield will utilize the accommodations process already in place at the university, that supports students with disability needs. In essence, Penfield Library will be treated as a classroom and students can submit accommodation letters to Resource Sharing to preemptively declare their need for fully accessible digital files. Doing this will allow conversations between patrons and librarians that will improve access for all to research content and materials.
I will present how we came to this conclusion and share plans on how we plan to support faculty and staff in a similar way, as well as other tools we are adding to the library to support people with disabilities.
Penfield will utilize the accommodations process already in place at the university, that supports students with disability needs. In essence, Penfield Library will be treated as a classroom and students can submit accommodation letters to Resource Sharing to preemptively declare their need for fully accessible digital files. Doing this will allow conversations between patrons and librarians that will improve access for all to research content and materials.
I will present how we came to this conclusion and share plans on how we plan to support faculty and staff in a similar way, as well as other tools we are adding to the library to support people with disabilities.
'A Little Less' Waiting: Using Rapido for Course Reserve Document Delivery (lightning talk)
Amanda Tier and Gina Rippens, University of Central Florida
Course Reserves ensure students have reliable access to required course materials, regardless of cost or format. By collaborating with faculty, libraries organize, digitize, and deliver readings through systems such as Leganto and Rapido, enhancing resource visibility and supporting student success. However, physical reserve collections can still limit access for students who cannot visit the library in person.
At the University of Central Florida Libraries, we developed a workflow using Rapido document delivery to provide students with chapters from course reserve items. By configuring Alma fulfillment policies and leveraging existing request workflows, we enabled access to materials traditionally restricted to in-library use. This lightning talk will highlight key decisions and configurations that expanded access while maintaining copyright compliance.
At the University of Central Florida Libraries, we developed a workflow using Rapido document delivery to provide students with chapters from course reserve items. By configuring Alma fulfillment policies and leveraging existing request workflows, we enabled access to materials traditionally restricted to in-library use. This lightning talk will highlight key decisions and configurations that expanded access while maintaining copyright compliance.
A Tale of Two Consortia: Developing a Scalable Framework for Cross Consortial Resource Sharing (presentation)
Marc Hoffeditz, Boston Library Consortium (BLC); Carl Piraneo, Partnership for Academic Library Collaboration and Innovation (PALCI)
When 30-40% of interlibrary loan requests go unfilled within a single consortium, the gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Two regional library consortia formed a joint working group to address this gap through intentional cross-consortial collaboration.
This presentation shares the outcomes of that effort, including a Community Expectations Assessment Report capturing stakeholder needs across 105 member libraries, and a Cross-Consortial Collaboration Framework for Reciprocal Agreements designed for replication by other consortia. Attendees will learn how the two consortia approached policy harmonization, workflow alignment, and technical requirements for interoperable resource sharing systems. The framework offers a model for transforming informal, ad hoc borrowing and lending activity into sustainable, scalable partnerships that improve fill rates, staff efficiency, and patron experience.
'All Shook Up': How the Current Generational Shift in the Interlibrary Loan Technology Marketplace Will Bring Out the Best in the Resource Sharing Community (presentation)
Dennis Massie, Borrower and Lender Be
We’ve not seen this much competition, disruption, and fragmentation in the interlibrary loan technology marketplace since library vendors were implementing the 10160/10161 ISO ILL protocols back in 2000. In fact, the issues now are precisely the same, with many libraries moving to peer-to-peer sharing models while others remain on centralized legacy systems or maintain several models at once. Workflows, reciprocal agreements, and consortia are being disrupted. New systems are often adopted by libraries without input from their interlibrary loan experts. Vendors can be counted on to vend, and libraries can be caught in the middle.
This presentation, based on ongoing weekly conversations amongst interlibrary loan practitioners and on the author’s own experience, will lay out the challenges and opportunities being presented by this generational shift, explore collaborative actions resource sharing professionals can consider taking, and offer some predictions about potential positive outcomes.
Preliminary outline:
I. Devil in Disguise: competition among vendors isn’t always the best thing for libraries II. It’s Now or Never: ILL professionals have more leverage in this environment than we might think III. I Believe: joining together, there is much we can do to shape the technical landscape in which we’ll be working for the next 20 years
This presentation, based on ongoing weekly conversations amongst interlibrary loan practitioners and on the author’s own experience, will lay out the challenges and opportunities being presented by this generational shift, explore collaborative actions resource sharing professionals can consider taking, and offer some predictions about potential positive outcomes.
Preliminary outline:
I. Devil in Disguise: competition among vendors isn’t always the best thing for libraries II. It’s Now or Never: ILL professionals have more leverage in this environment than we might think III. I Believe: joining together, there is much we can do to shape the technical landscape in which we’ll be working for the next 20 years
'All Shook Up': What's new and what's next with OCLC resource sharing (presentation)
Chloe Kie, OCLC
Something exciting is happening with OCLC resource sharing, and we think it's going to leave you all shook up. Join us for an update on the latest enhancements in OCLC's resource sharing services and how they're helping libraries like yours reduce repetitive tasks, improve fill rates, and deliver a better experience for library users.
We'll share the latest about OCLC's ILL services—WorldShare ILL, Tipasa, ILLiad, and Resource Sharing for Groups—and give you a sneak peek at some developments on the horizon. You'll also learn how data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) are driving smarter automation, streamlining fulfillment workflows, and enabling even faster delivery.
Your hands won't be shaky and your knees won't be weak, instead you'll walk away with practical strategies to make the most of your OCLC resource sharing solution and your connection to the world's largest resource sharing network.
We'll share the latest about OCLC's ILL services—WorldShare ILL, Tipasa, ILLiad, and Resource Sharing for Groups—and give you a sneak peek at some developments on the horizon. You'll also learn how data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) are driving smarter automation, streamlining fulfillment workflows, and enabling even faster delivery.
Your hands won't be shaky and your knees won't be weak, instead you'll walk away with practical strategies to make the most of your OCLC resource sharing solution and your connection to the world's largest resource sharing network.
Borrowed Here, Sent There: Mapping Resource Sharing with ArcGIS StoryMaps (lightning talk)
Hillary Arieux, Florida Southern College
This project was inspired by Christine Shearman of Rivier University’s own project of using Google Maps to map her department’s lending and borrowing activities. Florida Southern College’s resource sharing services are performed by the resource sharing librarian and one student worker. As we exclusively use WorldShare, we decided to map our ILL activity using ArcGis StoryMaps. ArcGIS StoryMaps allows for the creation of custom mapping and other interactive features for the purposes of digital storytelling.
The StoryMaps mapping feature provides latitude and longitude automatically for mapping, an important consideration as we do not have OCLC Analytics to provide this information for us. Two maps, one for borrowing and one for lending activities, were created for the Spring 2026 semester. Using StoryMaps’ other tools, visual graphs for the same semester were created along with narrative text. While the entirety of the information created can be viewed on the published StoryMaps page, embedding the maps on our library’s interlibrary loan landing page allows for a visual representation of what, for many patrons, is a little understood process.
This lightning talk will detail how small operations with limited tools can use storytelling for outreach and demonstrate impact.
Burning Budget: Surviving Serials Cuts While Enhancing Research Discovery with On-Demand Article Access (panel presentation)
Courtney Taulbee, University of Kentucky; Caitlin Harrington and Sofiya Dahman, University of Memphis
Shrinking and unpredictable resource budgets make it increasingly difficult to fulfill users’ serials needs in academic libraries. Article Galaxy Scholar provides a way to access articles seamlessly without “big deal” publisher licenses or other cost-prohibitive agreements. Learn how the University of Memphis and the University of Kentucky Libraries are delivering ongoing access to the most used and current scholarly journals. What started as a collaborative solution to improve access to needed content resulted in changes to collection development and interlibrary loan best practices. Join panelists for a discussion on negotiating mediated and unmediated workflows and balancing seamless access with cost controls and copyright compliance.
'Can’t Help Falling in Love' with Rapido: Lessons from our Dual-System Implementation Experience (presentation)
Faith McElvery and Tiffany Roberts, Georgia Tech University
What happens when a library implements Rapido and continues to use ILLiad? In this session, we share our experience working with both systems at the same time. During our Rapido implementation we had to figure out how to incorporate Rapido and ILLiad together in our daily workflows. We will walk through how we set things up and how requests move between systems. We will provide a practical look at the unique challenges and immense benefits to patrons of having two interlibrary loan systems ‘play nice’. Attendees will come away from this presentation with the information and tools needed to determine if this approach would be beneficial for their interlibrary loan needs.
Even the King Needed Rhinestones: Highlighting the Value of Resource Sharing–Inside and Outside the Library (presentation)
Rebecca Crist, Association of Southeastern Research Libraries
Have you ever needed to promote resource sharing to your campus? Needed a concise way to describe your value when requesting staff or budget? Ever tried to explain why resource sharing is more than just call slips from a distance? Every now and then we need a way to make sure resource sharing can shine in the spotlight.
We know that resource sharing is the key to unlocking information far exceeding what any one institution can hold, and that it takes real expertise and skill to provide that service. But how do we make that argument to users, let alone administrators and even our library peers?
This interactive session will use prompts and guided discussion to help attendees characterize the benefits of resource sharing and the value of staff conducting these responsibilities. By collaboratively developing a set of persuasive arguments for different audiences, we hope to create a set of talking points anyone can use or adapt to make the case for interlibrary loan as the service that can, as the king put it, all your dreams fulfill.
We know that resource sharing is the key to unlocking information far exceeding what any one institution can hold, and that it takes real expertise and skill to provide that service. But how do we make that argument to users, let alone administrators and even our library peers?
This interactive session will use prompts and guided discussion to help attendees characterize the benefits of resource sharing and the value of staff conducting these responsibilities. By collaboratively developing a set of persuasive arguments for different audiences, we hope to create a set of talking points anyone can use or adapt to make the case for interlibrary loan as the service that can, as the king put it, all your dreams fulfill.
'I Understand (Just How You Feel)', but really, you don't need OCLC (presentation)
Dev Singer and Dzintra Lacis, Brandeis University
In 2021, Brandeis University dropped OCLC and moved its resource sharing operations from ILLiad to Rapido. Since then, Brandeis has found new ways to connect with long-standing partners and created new partnerships - all without dropping the level of service we provide to our patrons. In this session, come learn Brandeis’s strategies for resource sharing without the use of OCLC services.
'Love Me Tender', Lend Me Digitally : Expanding Collections Access through the HathiTrust Resource Sharing Pilot (lightning talk)
Robyn Weisman and Shannon Monroe, University of California - Berkeley
In September 2025, UC-Berkeley Libraries commenced participating in a new pilot project launched by HathiTrust, focusing on utilizing HathiTrust to enable borrowing and lending operations. This lightning-round presentation will provide a concise overview of our library's experience participating in the pilot, from initial planning and implementation to workflows and staff training.Attendees will learn about the goals of the pilot, the operational considerations involved, and how participation has affected resource sharing services. The presentation will highlight key benefits as well as challenges encountered during implementation.
This lightning round is applicable to all libraries, whether they are HathiTrust members or interested in obtaining materials in HathiTrust from member libraries. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the opportunities and considerations associated with the pilot and how it may support broader goals related to access, collaboration, and service innovation.As libraries seek new approaches to expanding access while maximizing the value of shared collections, the HathiTrust Resource Sharing Pilot offers an innovative model for lending digitized materials across institutions. This session will offer candid reflections and actionable takeaways.
Resource Sharing Software at a Crossroads: An Investigation from the Boston Library Consortium (presentation)
Marc Hoffeditz, Boston Library Consortium
The ILL software marketplace has navigated a tumultuous decade, from system sunsets and reversals to mergers and acquisitions to more diversified software options to address the technical and budgetary needs of libraries. Despite these uneven developments, many resource sharing staff continue to adapt inflexible, one-size-fits-all systems that lack the customization required to fully support their work.
To address these challenges and recenter the needs of our resource sharing practitioners, the Boston Library Consortium undertook a multiyear investigation to better understand the functionalities of existing interlibrary loan software on the commercial marketplace. This investigation undertook two main phases: 1) the development of comprehensive and extensible criteria with which to evaluate resource sharing software and 2) a request for information (RFI) process for vendors to respond to the criteria and articulate the various functionalities of their software.
This presentation will examine the motivations behind BLC’s multiphase inquiry, the collaborative development of the evaluation criteria, and key findings from vendor responses and broader marketplace trends. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the current resource sharing software landscape and practical insights to support more strategic decision-making as libraries navigate ongoing change.
To address these challenges and recenter the needs of our resource sharing practitioners, the Boston Library Consortium undertook a multiyear investigation to better understand the functionalities of existing interlibrary loan software on the commercial marketplace. This investigation undertook two main phases: 1) the development of comprehensive and extensible criteria with which to evaluate resource sharing software and 2) a request for information (RFI) process for vendors to respond to the criteria and articulate the various functionalities of their software.
This presentation will examine the motivations behind BLC’s multiphase inquiry, the collaborative development of the evaluation criteria, and key findings from vendor responses and broader marketplace trends. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the current resource sharing software landscape and practical insights to support more strategic decision-making as libraries navigate ongoing change.
'Return to Sender'... in Better Condition: The power of Plastic Covers for Books (presentation)
Wallens Augustin, Hofstra University
By examining workflows in interlibrary loan (ILL) This presentation highlights how protective measures such as plastic covers, often overlooked, can improve turnaround time, reduce replacement costs, and enhance user satisfaction. Attendees will gain practical insights how book covers can be part of the cost-benefit considerations, workflow integration, and staff training strategies that support sustainable handling practices.
'Return to Sender': Subsidized shipping and increased resource sharing engagement with North Carolina public libraries (presentation)
Renée Bosman, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
This presentation will discuss ongoing work to strengthen our library’s relationships with North Carolina public libraries, including a new subsidized return shipping program designed to make the borrowing process truly 100% cost-free.
Guiding questions for this initiative are: Our collections are freely available to libraries across the state through interlibrary loan – is this service utilized to its fullest extent? If not, why? How can we better support North Carolina public libraries and their patrons, especially in rural communities? As a public institution, service to the state is a key component of our library’s strategic framework, through accelerating “learning, discovery, creativity, and informed citizenship.” To ground the work, we conducted a survey of public library staff that focused on identifying needs and barriers related to resource sharing. I’ll share those survey results, our baseline lending profile, steps taken to address some of the barriers to access to our collections, and initial assessment metrics.
Guiding questions for this initiative are: Our collections are freely available to libraries across the state through interlibrary loan – is this service utilized to its fullest extent? If not, why? How can we better support North Carolina public libraries and their patrons, especially in rural communities? As a public institution, service to the state is a key component of our library’s strategic framework, through accelerating “learning, discovery, creativity, and informed citizenship.” To ground the work, we conducted a survey of public library staff that focused on identifying needs and barriers related to resource sharing. I’ll share those survey results, our baseline lending profile, steps taken to address some of the barriers to access to our collections, and initial assessment metrics.
'Separate Ways': Delinking your ILLiad data (lightning talk)
Abigail D. Miller and Rosemary Humphrey, Kennesaw State University
ILLiad request information should be responsibly maintained for collection data and statistics. To maintain proper data retention standards, and for the security of library patrons, best practices indicate interlibrary loan request history should not include the associated patron data past a certain point, usually 1-5 years. How do you initiate a data de-link in ILLiad if you have never done this process before? This lightning talk will outline the steps taken by a large R2 academic library to develop a strategy, create a timeline, inform patrons, and implement the patron data de-link process. Attendees will learn about the necessary preparation for de-linking patron data, how to implement the process in ILLiad, and how to build a continuation strategy that will make maintaining proper data retention easier.
'Suspicious Minds': Tales from the Resource Sharing Trenches (facilitated discussion)
Amy Chew, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Resource sharing professionals know that most requests are routine. But every so often, a request appears that makes you pause and think… "something about this looks suspicious." This session invites attendees to bring their ‘Suspicious Minds’ and share their stranger moments from the resource sharing trenches. The goal is to create a collegial space where resource sharing practitioners can reflect on the realities of the work, learn from one another’s experiences, and leave with strategies for navigating the occasional oddities that come with serving a diverse patron community.
Discussion Structure: The facilitator will begin with a few brief examples to set the stage before opening the floor to attendees. Discussion prompts will guide conversation around: -Requests that raised professional red flags -Misleading or fabricated citations (intentional or otherwise) -Patron expectations that conflict with copyright, licensing, or policy -Strategies for responding diplomatically while maintaining boundaries -Lessons learned and practices that help staff identify and handle these situations
Learning Outcomes: Participants will- -Recognize common warning signs associated with problematic or unusual requests -Share strategies for responding professionally to challenging patron interactions -Exchange practical approaches for protecting staff time and maintaining service quality -Build connections with colleagues through shared professional experiences
Discussion Structure: The facilitator will begin with a few brief examples to set the stage before opening the floor to attendees. Discussion prompts will guide conversation around: -Requests that raised professional red flags -Misleading or fabricated citations (intentional or otherwise) -Patron expectations that conflict with copyright, licensing, or policy -Strategies for responding diplomatically while maintaining boundaries -Lessons learned and practices that help staff identify and handle these situations
Learning Outcomes: Participants will- -Recognize common warning signs associated with problematic or unusual requests -Share strategies for responding professionally to challenging patron interactions -Exchange practical approaches for protecting staff time and maintaining service quality -Build connections with colleagues through shared professional experiences