1/15/14

Question

Susan Mark (WY)

I kind of doubt it, but throwing this out there. Do any states track what libraries spend specifically on their ILS? 

Later this year, I'll probably be asked to try to quantify what the value of our statewide ILS is versus what would happen if all the libraries in it were cut loose and have to fend for themselves ILS-wise. I don't think it's going to be an easy thing to quantify, so any ideas are welcome.

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SDC Comments

Dianne Carty (MA)

We keep track of network membership costs.  However, these also include shared e-content purchases.   I can get you information.  Let me know what you want.

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Jamie McCanless (WI)

Short answer is no. Our regional library systems manage a number of ILS (no statewide ILS), but not all libraries use them. Revenue and expenditures related to ILS can be items on regional systems’ annual reports or included in items broken down in attachments so no, no ongoing specific tracking of ILS costs by our agency.

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Susan Mark (WY)

Well, the general sense I'm getting from private replies is that this is a total non-starter. Thanks, anyway!

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Joyce Chapman (NC)

A couple years ago we started a State Library-run ILS (NC Cardinal) and as part of that we now have info on how much each of our participating libraries spent on their ILS before and how much they are saving with us now. We've got about 1/4 of our libraries participating so far so we've got that data for them. The statewide ILS has been free so far in its first few years, but we have planned a fee schedule that will begin next year (I think). Would you like the information from us (in terms of percentage or dollars that will be saved by our participating libraries as a whole? The resource sharing they are now a part of is also a benefit that it is difficult to put a price on: if a book isn't available at a home library the hold is automatically filled from any of the other libraries across the state. We pay for the shipping of books all over the state, but they have to provide the staff time to pack up the books.

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Bob Wetherall (DE)

As you know, Delaware also supports a single ULS for the libraries.  Obviously, we know how much we spend, but I think it would very difficult to determine what the individual libraries and library systems would have to pay for separate systems.  So much would depend on whether the independent libraries in a county would go in together and implement a shared system which they would pay for.  Many of our independent libraries are so small, I think it would be a herculean task for them to implement an automation system at all.  Our biggest county system would undoubtedly implement a new ILS, but we wouldn't know the cost until they bid it.  Good luck on your task.

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Rob Geiszler (VT)

Vermont has done a small investigation of ILL costs, hoping to design some sort of a courier service.  Don’t know if this will be helpful, but here’s the report with which our people came ip: http://libraries.vermont.gov/sites/libraries/files/VT-ILL-TF-Report.pdf

Hope that provides some assistance.

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Joyce Chapman (NC)

OK, I took a look at the data. 19 of our 80 libraries (24%) have joined the State Library-funded ILS to date. These 19 libraries serve 857,490 registered borrowers at the moment and cover a legal service population area a bit over 2 million. Like I said it’s been free for everyone for a couple years, but when we start asking folks to pay in 2015-2016, annual ILS cost per capita will go from 20 cents before NC Cardinal to 8 cents in Cardinal (a 60% decrease).